In this brilliant new translation and commentary on The Diamond Sutra--one of the sublime wisdom teachings of Mahayana Buddhism--Mu Soeng integrates this ancient wisdom teaching with current scientific and psychological thought. His clear and readable commentary traces the connections between these teachings and contemporary theories of quantum reality, explores the sutra within the framework of Buddhist meditation practices, and provides a comprehensive historical survey of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Mu Soeng's goal throughout is to reveal the inspiration and wisdom of The Diamond Sutra to today's reader in an accessible, engaging, and modern manner.
"What a pleasure to read this lyrical rendering of the Diamond Sutra. Providing a full historical and cultural context for this great teaching inspires an understanding of its contemporary relevance, while the clarity of Mu Soeng's prose makes sophisticated Buddhist scholarship available to all interested readers."
"Mu Soeng relates the sutra in fresh ways to early Buddhist social, cultural and institutional history... the messages of the text are given fresh expression in teaching encounters, poems, and delightful stories."
"This book is a job well done. Mu Soeng clearly illuminates the fascinating world of ancient Buddhist thought and skillfully guides us through its historical evolution. For the first time, I began to understand this important history. And his insightful commentary on the Diamond Sutra makes accessible to us all the transforming wisdom of this profound text. I highly recommend this book for all those wishing an in-depth exploration of the enlightened mind."
"Mu Soeng's interpretation of the Diamond Sutra is an attempt to present traditional Buddhist insights, as found in one of the fundamental scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism, in a modern or post-modern form appropriate for contemporary practitioners and others interested in making ancient wisdom relevant and vital for today. Together with a translation based largely on Conze's rendition of a Sanskrit text, Mu Soeng, a Zen practitioner, presents his detailed running commentary, which fuses traditional Buddhist lore with the contemporary approaches of quantum physics and deconstructionist literary theory. Accompanied by a lengthy introduction, Mu Soeng's work, which is in some ways reminiscent of the insightful commentaries of Thich Nhat Hanh, should be of great interest to all those who seek modern and post-modern relevance in ancient Buddhist thought."
