The Diamond Sutra
Translated by William Gemmell
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The opening
Thus have I heard concerning our Lord Buddha:—
Upon a memorable occasion, the Lord Buddha sojourned in the kingdom of Shravasti, lodging in the grove of Jeta, a park within the imperial domain, which Jeta, the heir-apparent, bestowed upon Sutana, a benevolent Minister of State, renowned for his charities and benefactions.
With the Lord Buddha, there were assembled together twelve hundred and fifty mendicant disciples, all of whom had attained to eminent degrees of spiritual wisdom.
As it approached the hour for the morning meal, Lord Buddha, Honoured of the Worlds, attired himself in a mendicant’s robe, and bearing an alms-bowl in his hands, walked towards the great city of Shravasti, which he entered to beg for food. Within the city he proceeded from door to door, and received such donations as the good people severally bestowed. Concluding this religious exercise, the Lord Buddha returned to the grove of Jeta, and partook of the frugal meal received as alms. Thereafter he divested himself of his mendicant’s robe, laid aside the venerated alms-bowl, bathed his sacred feet, and accepted the honoured seat reserved for him by his disciples.
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About this edition
- The words
- William Gemmell's English translation, copied word for word.
- Copied from
Project Gutenberg; Ronald Grenier transcription from Internet Archive/Cornell University Libraries scans
- Left out
- The source library's header, footer and license, in 3 places
- Printed ornaments and dividers
- A preface, foreword or afterword