Understanding The Diamond Sutra

Understanding The Diamond Sutra

A Study Series with Gareth Young

First Saturday morning, February to August (Skipping April)

In Person and on Zoom (hybrid)

Saturday Feb 3, Mar 2, May 4, Jun 1, Jul 6 and Aug 3 (six sessions)

10:00 am to noon

In person and on Zoom (regular link)

The Diamond Sutra is one of the most important Mahayana sutras: it is studied, chanted, and read in Buddhist communities around the world, and is particularly influential in the Zen tradition. While it is rich and can be transformative for one's whole life, it can be opaque and challenging for those unfamiliar with it.

Drawing from many of the available English translations and commentaries, but focusing especially on the translation of Hui En and the commentary of Master Nan Huai-Chin, over six weeks this class will help participants explore the deep meaning and learn to enter a dance with this extraordinary sutra.

Each week we begin by chanting Hui En's translation together, followed by a period of meditation. After this, Gareth will provide a teaching on that week's segment (a schedule and preparatory materials will be provided to participants in advance), and a group discussion will follow.

While no prior knowledge of the text is required, participants in the series will find it beneficial to have read the sutra and perhaps also one of the many commentaries on it (fyi the text Gareth will be using is available electronically for free at The Internet Archive, but since this is the one Gareth will be drawing from it might actually be useful to have read another). If you would like to know more about the class, please reach out to Gareth. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, not just for the continuity of the teaching, but to experience the immersive quality of group chanting (the text for chanting will of course be provided) and combining that with sitting and study. But talks will be recorded, making it possible to miss a session and catching up. (The discussion portion won't be recorded, though, and the chanting experience is an important part of the class.)

Registration is not required: all are welcome. But it is helpful if participants do register. The sessions will be available in person and on Zoom; those on Zoom will be encouraged to chant, but will be asked to mute their computer since the time delay and volume imbalances make for an inharmonious experience for others.

Course Documents:

Diamond Sutra - Hue En - Class 1 Chant.docx