Okay - here I go again - as a Christian I'm probably not supposed to recommend Buddhist books, but if you’re going to read them Hui Neng’s the cream of the crop. I’d rank it right next to Bodhidharma at the top of my Buddhist books list. And the Diamond Sutra’s probably my favorite of the canonical Indian sutras, but the Chinese deemphasized the speculative and made Buddhism wacky fun (not to detract from Hui Neng’s substance and penetration). Down in the village getting drunk with the butchers. If you see the Buddha [b:on the road|6288|The Road|Cormac McCarthy|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21E8H3D1JSL._SL75_.jpg|3355573], kill him. This must be where Kerouac got a lot of his inspiration, but unlike Jack Hui Neng could hold his liquor. ( )

The Diamond Sutra, composed in India in the 4th century CE, is one of the most treasured works of Buddhist literature & is the oldest existing printed book in the world. It's known as the Diamond Sutra because its teachings are said to be like diamonds that cut away all dualistic thought, releasing one from the attachment to objects & bringing one to the further shore of enlightenment. The format of this important sutra is presented as a conversation between the Buddha & one of his disciples.
The Sutra of Hui-neng, also known as the Platform Sutra, contains the autobiography of a pivotal figure in Zen history & some of the most profound passages of Zen literature. Hui-neng was the 6th patriarch of Zen in China, but is often regarded as the true father of the Zen tradition. He was a poor, illiterate woodcutter who is said to have attained enlightenment upon hearing a recitation of the Diamond Sutra. Together, these two scriptures present the central teaching of the Zen Buddhist tradition & are essential reading for all students of Buddhism.

From the Sanskrit Vajrachche dikapranaparamit-sutra (Diamond Cutter Sutra), which belongs to the Maha-prajnaparamita (Perfection of Transcendental Wisdom). From the Northern canon of Buddhism. Nagarjuna lived in the 2nd century c.e., but probably this work is from the 4th c.

note book # 820