The diamond sutra, the earliest surviving dated complete. Sutras are very important to buddhism, a religion that developed in what is now india and spread to china hundreds of years before the diamond sutra was printed in 868 ce. Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce ulta din. The buddhist text known around the world as the diamond sutra although a more accurate translation of the sanskrit title might be, for instance, the vajra cutter sutra is a short mahayana sutra of the perfection of wisdom prajnaparamita genre, which teaches the practice of the avoidance of abiding in extremes of mental attachment. Translated into a variety of languages over a broad geographic range, the diamond sutra is one of the most influential mahayana sutras in east asia, and it is particularly prominent within the chan tradition, along with the heart sutra. Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce diamond sutra sanskrit. Written in chinese and featuring an illustrated frontispiece, the woodblock printed scroll is fivemetres long and dated 868ad.
The diamond sutra was displayed in the british library at one stage near a gutenberg bible with the latter labeled as the worlds earliest printed book. The diamond sutra played an important role in the life of huineng 6387, the sixth patriarch of chan. The earliest dated printed book, known as the diamond sutra, was produced in china in 868 ce, but it is believed that the practice dates back well before this date. The diamond sutra, now recognized as one of the worlds great literary jewels, has recently undergone conservation. The diamond sutra is a mahayana sutra from the prajnaparamita sutras or perfection of wisdom genre. Time for a new translation a message from alex johnson one day i was reading a text of the diamond sutra and i thought to myself, why is this so hard. It was produced on the 11 may 868, according to the western calendar. Everything you need to know about the ancient diamond sutra. Nov 12, 2012 the diamond sutra was displayed in the british library at one stage near a gutenberg bible with the latter labeled as the worlds earliest printed book. The precise date makes this particular edition of diamond sutra the worlds oldest printed and dated book in existence. Jun 28, 2016 the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra and the the diamond sutra. It is recorded in huinengs autobiography that when he was an adolescent selling firewood in a marketplace, he heard someone reciting the. Background of the diamond sutra diamond sutra a new.
The diamond sutra is set up as a dialogue between the buddha and subhuti, one of his elderly disciples. Aug 02, 2009 the diamond sutra is one of the most historically important texts in the buddhist faith, in part because a copy of it is the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world 868 a. The very first printed book the diamond sutra scihi blogscihi blog. Discover this and other landmarks of printing in the librarys collections. May 11, 2014 on may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important textbooks of buddhism, originally written in the 1st c. The diamond sutra, the earliest dated example of woodblock printing, and the earliest surviving dated complete book, was published in china on may 11, 868. The british library is also part of the international. The diamond sutra is one of the most historically important texts in buddhism, in part because a copy of it is the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world 868 a. The frontispiece depicts the buddha, surrounded by monks, devotees and deities. Among the manuscripts was perhaps the oldest printed book actually a scroll in existence, the diamond sutra, dated 868.
Few venture that the answer is a revered buddhist text called the. May 17, 2019 the last few lines of the text, the colophon, identifies who printed it, when and why. On may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important. Aug 21, 2014 the oldest printed text in the world is believed to be the diamond sutra, a book of mahayana buddhism that was found in a cave 1146 years ago.
The story of the worlds earliest dated printed book. Paternal seductions in early mahayana buddhist literature berkeley. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana buddhist sutra from the prajnaparamita, or perfection of wisdom genre, and emphasizes the practice of nonabiding and nonattachment. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. The vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra. Ask people to name the worlds oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible.
The diamond sutra is part of a larger canon of early mahayana sutras known as the prajnaparamita meaning perfection of wisdom sutras. The buddhist text known around the world as the diamond sutra although a more accurate translation of the sanskrit title might be, for instance, the vajra cutter sutra is a short mahayana sutra of the perfection of wisdom prajnaparamita genre, which teaches the practice of the avoidance of. When it comes to ancient texts, most are familiar with the big names. Jan 03, 2012 the diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. The frontispiece of the diamond sutra from tang dynasty china, the worlds earliest dated printed book, ad 868 british museum on may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important textbooks of buddhism, originally written in the 1st c. On may 11, 868, the diamond sutra was published in northern china this priceless religious teaching survives as the oldest dated, printed book. Oldest printed book published national geographic society. You might think the it was johannes gutenberg who invented modern printing. Also known by its sanskrit title vajracchedika, the diamond sutra states that something is what it is only because of what it is not. Sep 04, 2018 when it comes to ancient texts, most are familiar with the big names. The diamond sutra is the first printed book in history, predating the gutenberg bible by almost 600 years. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the diamond sutra.
The first translation of the diamond sutra into chinese was done sometime around the beginning of the fifth century by the venerated and prolific. Historically a copy of the diamond sutra is the oldest known printed book circa 868 ce the term diamond refers to the diamond sword, an allusion to the ease which buddhist teachings cut. This copy of the diamond sutra in chinese language, complete with a beautifully illustrated frontispiece, is the worlds earliest dated, printed book. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. Copying and recitation of the diamond sutra was a widespread devotional practice, and stories attributing miraculous powers to these acts are recorded in chinese, japanese, tibetan, and mongolian sources. The diamond sutra project gutenberg selfpublishing. The oldest complete, printed and dated book to have survived is the diamond sutra. Oct 10, 2012 d prajna paramita hrdaya sutram sanskrit. The chinese diamond sutra, the oldest known dated printed. Sure, printing with metal movable types including a printing press and a suitable ink, but mostover a way to. The vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter. A copy of the diamond sutra, found among the dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th century, is, in the words of the british library, the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book no one is sure who wang jie was or why he had the diamond sutra printed.
Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce history. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng by huineng. Jun 25, 2019 the diamond sutra played an important role in the life of huineng 6387, the sixth patriarch of chan. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception, and is one of the most important sacred works of the buddhist faith. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the. May 11, 2019 the diamond sutra now resides at the british library, along with an acknowledgement that it is the oldest dated printed book in existence. The manuscript was one of many discovered in the mogao caves of dunhaung. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds. The translator of the chinese version of the diamond sutra 6. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a. The buddhist text known as the diamond sutra is believed to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world. The oldest known printed book in the world ancient origins.
Prajna paramita heart sutra mantra with lyrics duration. In the centuries that followed, all memory of this vast storehouse seems to have been lost, but the precious artifacts survived in safety until the 20th century, when they were rediscovered by an appreciating world. The diamond sutra vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra. The last few lines of the text, the colophon, identifies who printed it, when and why. Movements and types of graphics diamond sutra gone, gone, gone beyond, gone utterly beyond, enlightenment hail. On may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important textbooks of buddhism, originally written in the 1st c. Diamond sutra is now recognized as one of the worlds great literary jewels. The diamond sutra is a collection of buddhist teachings the word sutra comes from sanskrit and means teachings or scriptures. The story of the worlds earliest dated printed book wood, frances, barnard, mark on. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. The sumerians are largely considered the first civilization to invent writing for the purpose of language. It is, in the words of the british library, the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. The diamond sutra is a teaching from the buddha himself.
The oldest printed text in the world the diamond sutra. Mar 11, 2020 the first dated printed book is the diamon sutra. Did you know the diamond sutra, the worlds earliest dated printed book, is in the british library. A copy of the diamond sutra is printed in china, making it the oldest known dated printed book.
It is the worlds oldest book bearing a specific date of publication. Recognized as the worlds first printed book, the diamond sutra scroll was printed in china during the tang dynasty 868 ad. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the origins of the diamond sutra and information about how this new translation was done. The very first printed book the diamond sutra scihi. For a close reading of the texts rhetoric, see chapter 4. Printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the most intriguing documents in the world accessibility navigation primary navigation content. Oct 21, 2012 the diamond sutra was displayed in the british library at one stage near a gutenberg bible with the latter labeled as the worlds earliest printed book. It was produced in ad 868, predating gutenbergs movable type printing in europe by some 600 years. Also known by its sanskrit title vajracchedika, the diamond sutra posits that something is what it is only because of what it is not. The japanese and the chinese regularly used wood blocks carved in relief to produce buddhist charms as early as the fifth century ce. According to national library of peking in 1961, the diamond sutra is described as.
U cal press, 2005 entitled be all you cant be, and other gainful losses in the diamond sutra. The diamond sutra now resides at the british library, along with an acknowledgement that it is the oldest dated printed book in existence. It is recorded in huinengs autobiography that when he was an adolescent selling firewood in a marketplace, he heard someone reciting the diamond sutra and immediately became enlightened. May 11, 2016 five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the most. Buddha channel best buddhism videos for buddhist 2,441,295 views.
A copy of the tangdynasty chinese version of the diamond sutra was found among the dunhuang manuscripts in 1900 by daoist monk wang yuanlu and sold. Time for a new translation a message from alex johnson one day i was reading a text of the diamond sutra and i thought to. Printed copy of the diamond sutra the british library. A copy of this sacred text, which was discovered in the mogao caves of dunhuang, china, has been described as being the worlds earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. One of the best known commentaries is the exegesis on the diamond sutra by huineng, the sixth patriarch of the chan school. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Sutras are very important to buddhism, a religion that developed in what is now india and spread to china hundreds of years before the 868 diamond sutra was printed. The oldest printed text in the world is believed to be the diamond sutra, a book of mahayana buddhism that was found in a cave 1146 years ago. Sutra is a sanskrit word meaning a religious teaching or sermon. Printed over 1100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the. The diamond sutra kindle edition by elder subhuti, trepitaka kumarajiva. The diamond sutra is the worlds oldest printed book. The book of kells, the gutenberg bible, and the dead sea scrolls. It was found in a holy site called the mogao or peerless caves or the.
The text challenges the common belief that inside each and every one of us is an. But one that most people dont know about is the diamond sutra the worlds earliest dated and printed book. The diamond sutra, the earliest surviving dated complete printed. The version of the book printed in 868 ce is a collection of seven rectangular woodblock prints pasted together to form a scroll. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is. It is made up of seven pages of paper pasted into a roll just. A copy of the diamond sutra, found among the dunhuang. The project team is led by williams grandson william b. The diamond sutra project is a notforprofit endeavour aimed at furthering the life work of william gemmell 18711947.
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