PREFACE
This
English version of
The Diamond Sutra,1translated
from the Chinese text of Kumarajiva, owes its inception to
successive
conversations with a friend, profoundly interested in the
interpretation of oriental systems of philosophy. During those
conversations renderings into English were made of numerous
passages
from the works of Confucius, Mencius, and Lao-Tsz.Having
surveyed briefly those fertile fields of thought, we passed, by a
natural transition, into the delectable Buddhist realm. Some
passages
from the Chinese
Sutras, comprising
texts and annotations, were consecutively examined, and variously
considered. Eventually it was suggested that
The Diamond Sutra,
perhaps one of the most metaphysical of the works ascribed to
Buddha,
be conveniently rendered into the English language.In
order that the rather unfamiliar text might assume due
intelligibility, parallel passages and numerous annotations were
subjoined, as the pleasant work of translating proceeded. The idea
of
printing and publishing the text seemed to follow as a natural
sequence.Already
there exist in the English language, renderings of
The Diamond Sutra
from the Sanscrit by Max Müller, and from the Chinese by Beal. This
new version does not seek to enter into rivalry with those erudite
works; and a possible apology which might readily be offered for
the
publication of this modest volume is, that the scholarly
productions
of Müller and Beal, in their present forms, are perhaps slightly
inaccessible to the general English reader.It
would appear that the peculiar charm of the Buddhist philosophy,
and
the remarkable purity of the Buddhist faith, are becoming more
generally appreciated in Europe. Should this imperfect rendering
of
The Diamond Sutra,
even in the faintest degree, confirm this just sense of
appreciation,
or prove a gentle incentive to further enquiry, then its unexpected
publication may prove to be not entirely unjustified.In
recording our many obligations to those scholars whose works were
frequently consulted, we also give expression to a hope that
nothing
of importance is omitted which ought to be gratefully
acknowledged.It
may also be permissible to express admiration of the piety, and
appreciation of the friendship, of those learned monks in Central
China, to whom we are everlastingly indebted for even a slight
initiation into those inexhaustible truths, which are alike the
heritage, and the glory, of the disciples of Buddha. Amongst those
we
should like to specify are Chang-Ming, the chief monk (Seng-Kwan)
of
Chen-Chou prefecture, Hu-Nan, and the aged and affectionate
Chioh-Hsien.WM.
GEMMELL.Pollokshields,
Glasgow,1
A learned Chinese commentator thus explained the rather striking
title: “As the diamond exceeds all other precious gems in
brilliance and indestructibility; so, also, does the wisdom
of
The Diamond Sutra
transcend, and shall outlive, all other knowledge known to
philosophy.”
