cover image The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom

The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom

. Counterpoint LLC, $35 (240pp) ISBN 978-1-58243-059-1

The Diamond Sutra has fascinated Buddhists for centuries because of its insights into dualism and illusion; the ""diamond"" can cut through any obstacle on the road to enlightenment. In The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom, Red Pine offers his translation of the text from both Sanskrit and Chinese, as well as commentary throughout. He also provides an interesting introduction to the history of the text's transmission, explaining that since the Sutra was originally in verse, he has tried to preserve its poetic coherence. This is a useful and beautiful translation of one of Buddhism's central texts. (Dec. 15)