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Deena Ensworth
5.0 out of 5 stars The Diamond Sutra is not a Sutra, that is why is the Diamond Sutra. The Most Precious.
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2018
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This is my favorite OSHO Buddhist commentary! Amazing! Enlightening...
The Perfection Of Wisdom That Cuts Like A Thubderbolt!
the Diamond Sutra is not a Sutra at all, that it is why it is called the Diamond Sutra!
As always, OSHO speaks so eloquently and I have heard hours and hours of his talks and he rarely uses the same examples to explain the Dharma... the Way.
Most Masters are extremely repetitive and almost have a “script” that they have been using for years... like Thich Nhat Hanh and his “ Cloud turns into water that turns into ice” etc... I have sat with Thay about 4 times and heard many of his talks and I just watched his documentary “walk with me” and he keeps on sayig and giving the same examples... nothing wrong with that... most Dharma teachers do that... or even big, well read intellectuals like Eckhart Tolle... same examples... even in a 1 hr talk goes on and on in circles... That is not Bhagwans style...
His insight is boundless, his skillfulness impressive...
Unfortunately now with the new Netflix Documentary people are starting to Slander and gice his books and talks low rating without even reading or listenig to them... if you read this book and disagree that is cool. But if you haven’t read it, please.. it’s obvious you did not listen.
People are very strange... listen to his silence.
Listen to the teachings of OSHO.
And you will know. KNOW that he was the real deal...
Forever grateful for his teachings... and I hope all the Buddhists slandering OSHO without even taking the time to listen are really oblivious and unaware because the karmic repercussions of Slandering a Buddha ... yikes.
But then again, if you did not get his message, you most likely do not understand or grasp Karma. No way.
3 people found this helpful
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2015
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Must have if you are interested in awakening.
2 people found this helpful
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Timothy M. Mccutcheon
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2015
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I am not a fan of Osho's commentary.
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David Vieyra
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2014
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Osho, what else needs to be said?!
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Samuel J Carpenter
2.0 out of 5 stars Osho? Oh no...
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2017
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I never write product reviews, but I felt compelled to inform fellow Zen practitioners and potential buyers of the dangers of the reckless nature of Osho's perspective on Buddhism.
When I seek wisdom from Buddhist texts/authors, the two chief components I look for are compassion and humility. Osho is sorely lacking in both of these. He bashes the practice of self-control, off-handedly labeling it as mere ascetism. Self-control is what helps breed genuine self-respect and confidence, not book sales Mr. Rajneesh/Jain! This goes against the teachings of Zen Buddhism, of which he proclaimed himself an enlightened master of. In The Diamond Sutra: The Buddha Also Said... Osho goes so far down this path of arrogant hedonism as to praise free love/sex, in a chapter that honestly feels like he's begging his female readers to sleep with him. The concept of bringing open sexuality to the limelight may have been relevant when he gave these talks in his home country of India, but when published in English to an already overly-sexualized American readership (during the 1960s no less), it loses its relevance and necessity entirely.
Sexuality squabbles aside, Osho was an outspoken advocate of consuming alcohol regularly (which goes against the Five Precepts), and spent the income earned from his 70 or so published books frivolously (most notably on nearly 90 Rolls Royce automobiles).
Additionally, when Osho moved to the United States in the early 1980s, he helped form the 1000 Friends of Oregon organization, which had overt political motives (he directly speaks against the political mindset in this book) and was partly responsible for the first and largest bioterror attack on US soil in 1984, when his followers used salmonella to poison 751 individuals in order to impact county elections to gain seats in Wasco County's Circuit Court.
To sum it all up, this guy did not practice what he preached, and what he preached was provocative and arrogant to begin with. If you're looking for a humble master to help teach you the path of the Buddha, I highly suggest you look elsewhere.
7 people found this helpful
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Misam Abidi
5.0 out of 5 stars No matter what your anguish, this book is the medicine
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2010
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A must read for any one who is interested in the mysteries of the universe within.
9 people found this helpful
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Dr. H. A. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars A manual of ancient Buddhist wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2012
The Diamond Sutra by Osho, Watkins Publishing, London, 2010, 256 ff.
The Diamond Sutra is the earliest book to which a printing date can be assigned - 868 CE. It is a sacred scripture of Mahayana Hinduism and Buddhism and it was originally written down in Sanskrit. Like other sutras, it is a collection of mystical and spiritual aphorisms intended as subjects for meditation and thence guidance towards enlightened existence. Osho was the name taken by a 20th century Indian mystical philosopher who lectured on Buddhism in both the East and West.
This book was not written by Osho but represents transcriptions of his lectures and videos - rather like the Gospels in relation to Jesus, without the videos of course! It isn't an easy book to read because the language in which it is expressed has a different syntax. But if you read it in a relaxed and contemplative frame of mind, imagining that you are listening to the words of an Indian sage, you will find there is wisdom on every page. If you prefer to read the text in everyday English there is a good translation by Alex Johnson that you can dip into on-line.
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Hansderma
5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate truth.. the Diamond Sutra
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2012
This Sutra is the Most clear and truthful Sutra throughout Buddhist teachings. One monk mentioned that this sutra is not just limited to one religion but also it shows the core essence of all religions throughout the world. I would have liked it more if Osho version diamond sutra had the original writing in the some parts of the book from beginning to the end at once. Search on youtube "Diamond Sutra 101 - Part 1". There's an America born Korean buddhist monk and his name is Hyun Gak (birth name: Paul Muenzen). He explains it really in a very simple and easy way.
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Bobaboo
3.0 out of 5 stars Beware the title, this isn't the Diamond Sutra
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2013
Despite the title, this book really consists of meditations on the Diamond Sutra by Osho,
a controversial 20th century Indian guru. Because words have such power, you may want to
do a bit of research first before you yield your understanding to this person Osho.
The words of the Diamond Sutra seem to be printed in italics and it may or may not be
possible to read just that by skipping from italic section to italic section in the text.
I have not figured it out yet. This is not an absolute contraindication to reading this
version, as no doubt with any ancient sacred text you will want a commentary to go with it.
But this particular "commentary" contains some frightening cult-like advice like
answering someone's question "Is it really none of my business what happens to other people?"
with "Now I cannot choose [you] for work, because [you] have [your] own idea about what is
right and what is wrong. Laxmi has no idea. She simply listens and does. Whatsoever is said,
she does." Osho goes on to stress, in his commune, you do it his way and you don't get a
vote and you should simply leave if you don't like it. Unwavering adherence to a contemporary
charismatic authority figure may or may not be the lesson you want to derive from study
of Gautama Buddha's ancient sutra. I just don't want other people to be fooled like I was
into thinking you are getting merely the fruits of contemporary scholarship together with the
text of an important sutra.
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gail b
5.0 out of 5 stars Osho's interpretation of the Diamond Sutra
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2013
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The meaning of Buddha's Diamond Sutra, which means 'perfection of wisdom' has been extraordinarily hard for most to fathom, and Osho's inimitable wisdom and unprecedented use of language brings light and brilliance to bridge the enormous gap between the enlightened and unenlightened understanding that can only be really known in silence.
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From other countries
gail b
5.0 out of 5 stars Osho's interpretation of the Diamond Sutra
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2013
Verified Purchase
The meaning of Buddha's Diamond Sutra, which means 'perfection of wisdom' has been extraordinarily hard for most to fathom, and Osho's inimitable wisdom and unprecedented use of language brings light and brilliance to bridge the enormous gap between the enlightened and unenlightened understanding that can only be really known in silence.
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Cristiano Potamianos
5.0 out of 5 stars Osho The Buddha
Reviewed in Canada on 27 May 2019
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Very few can explain the Diamond Sutra as well as Osho. That is because he is beyond intelectual understanding, he is speaking from the sky-like nature standpoint and can reach the core of our hearts. Thanks Osho for this great explanation of the Diamond Sutra.
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Saima Perveen
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond words! Readers will be blessed. It is far more valuable than diamond!
Reviewed in India on 28 January 2019
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Beyond words! Readers will be blessed. It is far more valuable than diamond! Osho is a form of existence itself.
One person found this helpful
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Samuel J Carpenter
2.0 out of 5 stars Osho? Oh no...
Reviewed in the United States on 2 January 2017
Verified Purchase
I never write product reviews, but I felt compelled to inform fellow Zen practitioners and potential buyers of the dangers of the reckless nature of Osho's perspective on Buddhism.
When I seek wisdom from Buddhist texts/authors, the two chief components I look for are compassion and humility. Osho is sorely lacking in both of these. He bashes the practice of self-control, off-handedly labeling it as mere ascetism. Self-control is what helps breed genuine self-respect and confidence, not book sales Mr. Rajneesh/Jain! This goes against the teachings of Zen Buddhism, of which he proclaimed himself an enlightened master of. In The Diamond Sutra: The Buddha Also Said... Osho goes so far down this path of arrogant hedonism as to praise free love/sex, in a chapter that honestly feels like he's begging his female readers to sleep with him. The concept of bringing open sexuality to the limelight may have been relevant when he gave these talks in his home country of India, but when published in English to an already overly-sexualized American readership (during the 1960s no less), it loses its relevance and necessity entirely.
Sexuality squabbles aside, Osho was an outspoken advocate of consuming alcohol regularly (which goes against the Five Precepts), and spent the income earned from his 70 or so published books frivolously (most notably on nearly 90 Rolls Royce automobiles).
Additionally, when Osho moved to the United States in the early 1980s, he helped form the 1000 Friends of Oregon organization, which had overt political motives (he directly speaks against the political mindset in this book) and was partly responsible for the first and largest bioterror attack on US soil in 1984, when his followers used salmonella to poison 751 individuals in order to impact county elections to gain seats in Wasco County's Circuit Court.
To sum it all up, this guy did not practice what he preached, and what he preached was provocative and arrogant to begin with. If you're looking for a humble master to help teach you the path of the Buddha, I highly suggest you look elsewhere.
7 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Misam Abidi
5.0 out of 5 stars No matter what your anguish, this book is the medicine
Reviewed in the United States on 27 April 2010
Verified Purchase
A must read for any one who is interested in the mysteries of the universe within.
9 people found this helpful
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Goodreads Review
The Diamond Sutra: The Buddha Also Said...
by Osho
4.02 · Rating details · 126 ratings · 16 reviews
Written more than 25 centuries ago, the Diamond Sutra is the first text to record the Buddha’s own teachings, and it remains one of the most popular.
One day, after the Buddha finishes his daily walk to collect alms, a senior monk steps forth to ask how he can best help humanity. Buddha responds, and thus begins a dialogue regarding the nature of perception. Renowned spiritual teacher Osho offers his unique interpretation of the Buddha's words, writing in an easy, humorous, and conversational style that makes even the most complex ideas understandable.
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Published April 6th 2010 by Watkins (first published March 1st 1979)
ISBN1906787565 (ISBN13: 9781906787561)
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Bella
Feb 06, 2013Bella rated it really liked it
Not for all... Hard to analyse.. but Osho explains all !
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Hlyan
Mar 02, 2017Hlyan rated it liked it · review of another edition
I didn't really enjoy this book, The Diamond Sutra, as much as The Heart Sutra: Becoming a Buddha through Meditation. Because of Osho's free-style talking, sometimes he (or maybe I) lost track of the sutra itself. So I even had to separately find and read the full English-translated text of the sutra. However, even when Osho's teachings become free-style talking or inconsistent with the main theme, they are all gold nuggets, pieces of his wisdom which come from his own experience. (less)
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Rich
Aug 23, 2012Rich rated it did not like it
oh dear oh dear oh dear. He has some pretty decent insights into the Diamond Sutra, but not much you can't find elsewhere. Meanwhile he comes across as the worst representation for egolessness. One page he speaks about the dillusions including anger and so forth, and the problems of clinging too tightly to an idea of your self, the next page he's admonsihing a member of his commune (highly dodgy sounding place from most accounts) for dare questioning his authority. the anger literally drips off the page. I'm almost certain this guy has a personality disorder of some sort. Controversies and scandals abound at his numerous centres. It's people like this and those US zen centre sex-scandal blokes that really make me wonder about this whole Buddhism thing. Shady gurus indeed. (less)
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Aziz
Sep 25, 2013Aziz rated it it was amazing
I cant believe this book has less than a 4.5 avg! People who read must been their first spiritual book. They missed it! It is one of the most beautiful books out there. THiss is an AWESOME BOOK!
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Tanuj Rohatgi
Jul 13, 2020Tanuj Rohatgi rated it it was amazing
Where do i start?
I have embarked on a spiritual journey these days. I started the journey with "Awakening the Buddha within" by Lama surya Das. It was a wonderful introduction to buddhism and the noble eight fold path.
My fragile little ego, after finishing that book went straight to Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. I told myself that i am ready to understand what Buddha said to Subhuti one afternoon which accounts as one of the most revered of buddhist texts in history.
I could not understand one word of it.
My ego was hurt, i'm smart why couldn't i understand it? I then came across this book, Osho's adaptation of the diamond sutra.
This book contains 11 chapters that describe a conversation between Buddha and subhuti that may or may not have happened. Maybe no words were used, maybe all of it was a dream. Nobody can comment on the form of this conversation because tathagatas have no form. Buddha did not have a form, Knowledge has no form.
At the end of each chapter, we have a small Q&A session of Osho with his followers. I felt, that it stemmed the flow of the book every once in a while but some questions were quite insightful.
I cannot express the impact this book has had on me in words. Some things cannot be expressed but only felt. This book has to be felt, every word, every chapter is politely sitting there, waiting to be read and felt.
This book is the most profound piece of literature i have read in my life.
I had thought, once i finish this book i would maybe show off a little on social media. See, I read one of the most influential books in buddhist literature. I'M SMART.
Now that this book has been read, there is very little ego left in me to brag. There is very little "I" in me now.
This book is a must for anyone on a self-exploratory spiritual journey. (less)
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Victor Negut
Jan 30, 2018Victor Negut rated it it was ok
Shelves: religion-and-mythology, lecture-series
I have mixed thoughts. If you can move beyond the egocentric interjections of the author Acharya Rajneesh, then there is a lot of value in this text. The problem is that this is a text which stresses the value of losing ones ego.
At times the author goes off on, what seems to me to be, deleterious tangents. He says how Buddhism is not ideological. Buddhism in it’s most basic form can certainly fit this model. Buddha was not interested in Ideology because ideologies come from ones mind. Rajneesh says as much yet he has a short memory. He can’t help himself, making claims that one can not go crazy in Buddhism, but as a Sufi or a Christian it happens all the time. He speaks of vegetarianism as the necessary way to be cultured. Otherwise you are a primitive savage. This is based on a very animal-centric ideology that plants don’t have consciousness or some other metric of value in the way that meat does. There are many needless ideologies peppered throughout this text. This author is terrible but it is clear when he is expressing the doctrine and imposing his own ego.
On a positive note. I believe this text does a great job pointing out the emptiness doctrine. This was quite enjoyable for me since I am more familiar with the Theravada tradition, thus I have not been exposed to the rich meaning of emptiness in the Mahayana tradition.
I think it is important to get some exegesis on the Diamond sutra. I have not read any other interpretations of the Diamond Sutra though I would love to find one that does not so clearly impose childish ideas, since I am confident those ideas did not exist at the roots of the religion.
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Zach Thom
Aug 08, 2017Zach Thom rated it it was amazing
I enjoyed the layout of this book. It was not only the words of the old sutra but he implemented examples from modern life to explain our route to Buddhism. It is tantamount to spending a day at a Buddhist discussion center.
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Shamana Ali
Sep 15, 2019Shamana Ali rated it really liked it
Suchness...
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Nacho
Dec 07, 2017Nacho rated it it was amazing
Amazing.
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Chad
Aug 30, 2017Chad rated it really liked it
Shelves: eastern-philosophy, mindfulness, self-actualization
oh no, osho, escargot, my car go 160 swiftly, ya do run run yah ya do run run.
osho is one sly trickster....that guy
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Juan Alberto Yoga
Apr 22, 2020Juan Alberto Yoga rated it it was amazing
Great book..
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David Robbeson
Sep 14, 2012David Robbeson rated it it was ok
There's something in this philosophy (or maybe Osho himself) that stands out for me. In all the books and pamphlets and webpages I've read about buddhism his ego is the largest I have experienced. Some aspects of the Diamond Sutra itself confuse me, I admit that, but the tone of guidance here feels like a willful infliction (though a tiny one) of punishment. Is this buddhism or shintoism?
I've read two of his books, I won't read another.
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Z
Feb 19, 2014Z rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2014
You do have to be able to look beyond Osho's braggadocio to get the most out of his talks. 4 stars to his interpretation of the Diamond Sutra for some stunning insights on receiving the new into your life and on self-created misery, interspersed with some of the most hilarious and unexpected anecdotes I've heard in a long time.
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Dariosk
Oct 08, 2016Dariosk rated it it was amazing
Probably not an appropriate book for beginners.
On the other hand Osho goes to the core of this sutra with great clarity.
Brilliant.
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Paula
Feb 05, 2015Paula rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: 2015-reading-challange
Week 14: A non-fiction book
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Noj
Aug 08, 2010Noj rated it it was amazing
One of the best books, I've come across. Soon gonna read it again.
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Thich Nhat Hanh, 92, reads a book in January 2019 at the Tu Hieu temple. “For him to return to Vietnam is to point out that we are a stream,” says his senior disciple Brother Phap Dung. PVCEB:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15947225/Thay_Phap_Dung___Uganda___PHOTO___Wouter_Verhoeven.jpg)
Brother Phap Dung, a senior disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh, leading a meditation on a trip to Uganda in early 2019. Wouter Verhoeven:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/15947235/Plum_Village_Practice_Center___Thich_Nhat_Hanh_leading_walking_meditation_in_Plum_Village__France__2014_.jpg)
Thich Nhat Hanh leading a walking meditation at the Plum Village practice center in France in 2014. PVCEB