The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Managing Your Business and Your Life 
asked by vicky123 on November 23, 2006 2:02 PM
With a unique combination of ancient and contemporary wisdom from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, The Diamond Cutter presents readers with empowering strategies for success in their work and personal lives.
Geshe Michael Roach, one of the great teachers today of Tibetan Buddhism, has richly woven The Diamond Cutter in three layers. The first is a translation of selections from the Diamond Sutra itself, an ancient text comprised of conversations between the Buddha and his close disciple Subhuti. Considered a central work by Buddhists throughout the world, the Diamond Sutra has been the focus of much interpretation over the centuries. In the second layer, Geshe Michael quotes from some of the best commentaries of the Tibetan tradition. In the main text, the third layer, he uses both sutra and commentary as a jumping-off point for presenting his own teaching.
Geshe Michael gives fresh insight into ancient wisdom by using examples from his own experience as one of the founders of the Andin International Diamond Corporation, which was started with capital of fifty thousand dollars and which today has annual sales in excess of one hundred million dollars. Much of the success of Andin has come from applying the business strategies presented in The Diamond Cutter. Geshe Michael's easy style and spiritual understanding make this work of timeless wisdom an invaluable source for those already familiar with, and those unfamiliar with, Tibetan Buddhism.
From the Hardcover edition.
Geshe Michael Roach, one of the great teachers today of Tibetan Buddhism, has richly woven The Diamond Cutter in three layers. The first is a translation of selections from the Diamond Sutra itself, an ancient text comprised of conversations between the Buddha and his close disciple Subhuti. Considered a central work by Buddhists throughout the world, the Diamond Sutra has been the focus of much interpretation over the centuries. In the second layer, Geshe Michael quotes from some of the best commentaries of the Tibetan tradition. In the main text, the third layer, he uses both sutra and commentary as a jumping-off point for presenting his own teaching.
Geshe Michael gives fresh insight into ancient wisdom by using examples from his own experience as one of the founders of the Andin International Diamond Corporation, which was started with capital of fifty thousand dollars and which today has annual sales in excess of one hundred million dollars. Much of the success of Andin has come from applying the business strategies presented in The Diamond Cutter. Geshe Michael's easy style and spiritual understanding make this work of timeless wisdom an invaluable source for those already familiar with, and those unfamiliar with, Tibetan Buddhism.
From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews
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This is wonderful book that clearly shows how every situation in our life emanates from one's state of consciousness. Whatever religion you are, you can benefit from this book. eg.The law of gravity applies to us all!
Spiritual truths are universal even tho stated somewhat differently.
eg. Karma, you sow what you reap, etc.
I really loved the concrete examples Geshe Roach gives us that delineates very down to earth approaches to various business problems and their solutions. So many other books of this genre are so theoretical and abstract, that it is difficult to apply it to one's life life in any appreciable way.
This book also gives us hope that no matter where we are now in our lives, we can always begin to build anew.
I have recommended this book to all my friends!!
Spiritual truths are universal even tho stated somewhat differently.
eg. Karma, you sow what you reap, etc.
I really loved the concrete examples Geshe Roach gives us that delineates very down to earth approaches to various business problems and their solutions. So many other books of this genre are so theoretical and abstract, that it is difficult to apply it to one's life life in any appreciable way.
This book also gives us hope that no matter where we are now in our lives, we can always begin to build anew.
I have recommended this book to all my friends!!
reviewed by dignified1 on November 28, 2006 12:16 PM
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I would like readers to know that while I practice the same lineage of Buddhism that Michael Roach does, we have different root lamas and am in no way affiliated with his Diamond Mountain University.
Having said that I think this is an excellent book and am writing my review in the hopes of clearing up some misunderstandings that might have been caused by some of the more negative reviews.
Let's first clarify that this is not a great book for some one really interested in a deep understanding of "Emptiness" and its relation with cause and effect. I would suggest Essence of the Heart Sutra by H.H. The Dalai Lama as a great introduction for that.
This book glosses over a lot of very profound philosophy on emptiness and that seems to have lead to some misunderstanding in at least one reviewer (this refers to a review left for the hardcover edition of this book). This is to be expected in a book intended for non-Buddhist business people. And again if you are interested in beginning a real study of the topic start with the book by the Dalai Lama I suggested above. If however, you just want to improve you business this book is perfect for you. You may find that even if its not your intention this book will change you in the process if you take it seriously.
Finally, I would like to talk about the concept of renunciation which the last reviewer seems to entirely misunderstand. Renunciation does not mean giving up all worldly possessions and retreating to a mountain hermitage. That is an entirely superficial understanding of renunciation. One person can be all alone in the mountains and still be entirely consumed with worldly desires, while another person can be smack dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern civilization and be completely detached from it all. This is not to suggest that removing certain stimulus is not beneficial in attaining renunciation, only that it is not absolutely required.
Renunciation is predicated upon a full understanding of the workings of cause and effect. Consequently it is a little deeper than the lessons in this book. However, paradoxically, improving your business with Michael Roach's suggestion may be the first step in leading you to renunciation, which only means, really, you truly understand that the nature of worldly pleasures are not such that they can be the source of permanent and, therefor, real happiness. In short renunciation does not necessarily mean giving up all of your wealth, but does mean that you attitude towards wealth has been profoundly altered.
It is also worth noting that for many people their religious faith is little more than just another material possession, something they use to reinforce their sense of identity. Conversely, business, for some people, can become a spiritual practice in and of itself. The issue revolves around renunciation but has nothing to do with the amount noted on your bank statement.
Nothing in this book, to my mind, contradicted Buddhist teachings in any way, and for its intended audience, practical minded business people who may know little about Buddhism but might be more attracted to its moral principles than they are to similar Christian ones found in other books that marry spiritual wisdom with business success, it is an excellent book.
Having said that I think this is an excellent book and am writing my review in the hopes of clearing up some misunderstandings that might have been caused by some of the more negative reviews.
Let's first clarify that this is not a great book for some one really interested in a deep understanding of "Emptiness" and its relation with cause and effect. I would suggest Essence of the Heart Sutra by H.H. The Dalai Lama as a great introduction for that.
This book glosses over a lot of very profound philosophy on emptiness and that seems to have lead to some misunderstanding in at least one reviewer (this refers to a review left for the hardcover edition of this book). This is to be expected in a book intended for non-Buddhist business people. And again if you are interested in beginning a real study of the topic start with the book by the Dalai Lama I suggested above. If however, you just want to improve you business this book is perfect for you. You may find that even if its not your intention this book will change you in the process if you take it seriously.
Finally, I would like to talk about the concept of renunciation which the last reviewer seems to entirely misunderstand. Renunciation does not mean giving up all worldly possessions and retreating to a mountain hermitage. That is an entirely superficial understanding of renunciation. One person can be all alone in the mountains and still be entirely consumed with worldly desires, while another person can be smack dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern civilization and be completely detached from it all. This is not to suggest that removing certain stimulus is not beneficial in attaining renunciation, only that it is not absolutely required.
Renunciation is predicated upon a full understanding of the workings of cause and effect. Consequently it is a little deeper than the lessons in this book. However, paradoxically, improving your business with Michael Roach's suggestion may be the first step in leading you to renunciation, which only means, really, you truly understand that the nature of worldly pleasures are not such that they can be the source of permanent and, therefor, real happiness. In short renunciation does not necessarily mean giving up all of your wealth, but does mean that you attitude towards wealth has been profoundly altered.
It is also worth noting that for many people their religious faith is little more than just another material possession, something they use to reinforce their sense of identity. Conversely, business, for some people, can become a spiritual practice in and of itself. The issue revolves around renunciation but has nothing to do with the amount noted on your bank statement.
Nothing in this book, to my mind, contradicted Buddhist teachings in any way, and for its intended audience, practical minded business people who may know little about Buddhism but might be more attracted to its moral principles than they are to similar Christian ones found in other books that marry spiritual wisdom with business success, it is an excellent book.
reviewed by webin on November 29, 2006 5:09 AM
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That this book claims to use Buddhist tenets to help in daily life is nothing short of laughable. One of the principle teachings of Buddhism is renunciation, and the Diamond Cutter is a book that explains how to become wealthy (and not very clearly at that). In fact, an action aimed at gaining a result in this life is not, by definition, even considered a Buddhist action. This book is squarely aimed at this life's benefits. Geshe Michael Roach has long had a love affair with diamonds. In fact he spent 17 years working in New York City's diamond trade (the same time period that he claims to have been studying for his Geshe Degree in South India).
Call this a "Get Rich Quick" book, but don't call it anything spiritual. It is the antithesis of Buddhist Philosophy, which is based on renunciation and compassion.
Geshe Michael Roach constantly claims that diamonds are the closest thing in our conventional reality to emptiness (the ultimate Buddhist viewpoint on the manner in which all phenomena exist), however the real meaning of emptiness is explained as a mere absence, therefore equating it to diamonds, a positive phenomena, would seem incorrect. Traditionally, if it is likened to anything from conventional reality, it is likened to unobstructed space -- a mere absence.
Geshe Michael Roach states, in his book the Diamond Cutter, which deals with using Buddhist principles to create wealth: "Pure diamond is the closest thing to an absolutely clear physical substance. With no light reflecting off of its surface you cannot see the pure diamond at all. Diamond gives a perfect reflection of light. Diamond is the hardest thing in the universe. A diamond is 3 times as hard as the next hardest mineral. It is a metaphor for that which is absolute. Diamonds represent, in the ancient Tibetan way, a hidden potential in all things: This is usually referred to as 'emptiness".
The title of this book is gleaned from an ancient Buddhist text, whose name is often translated as, "The Diamond Cutter Sutra", however it is also known as the "The Vajra Cutter Sutra" which deals with the subject of emptiness (Vajra is a Sanskrit term having a mean similar to adamantine).
Often translated as Diamond Sutra or Diamond Cutter Sutra. However, the word "vajra" used in the title is not explained as meaning 'diamond' in either the sutra itself or the Indian commentaries we have access to (those of Asabga, Vasubandhu, and Kamalashila).
In fact, the Buddha does not even mention the word 'vajra' in the discourse itself (at least not in the Tibetan or Sanskrit editions), naming it merely "Prajnaparamita": "Subhuti, the name of this Dharma discourse is 'the wisdom gone beyond'; it should be remembered like that."
In his introduction to his edition and translation, the Buddhist scholar Edward Conze said (p. 7): 'It is usual, following Max Mueller, to render Vajracchedika Sutra as 'Diamond sutra'. There is no reason to discontinue this popular usage, but strictly speaking, it is more than unlikely that the Buddhists here understand vajra as the material substance which we call 'diamond.'
Kamalashila's commentary (p. 204a) takes 'vajra' to mean the adamantine implement: 'Like this, it is the 'vajra cutter' in two ways. Because it cuts off the afflicted obstructions and the subtle obstructions to omniscience, which are as difficult to destroy as the vajra -- this indicates its necessity to abandon the two obstructions. Alternatively, the cutting is 'vajra-like' since it is similar to the shape of the vajra: the vajra is made bulbous on the ends and thin in the center. Similarly, this wisdom gone beyond is also taught as extensive in the beginning and the end -- the ground of aspirations activity and the buddha ground. The thin middle indicates the pure grounds of superior intention. Hence, it is like the aspect of a vajra, and this indicates three grounds as its subject matter.'
Buddhapalita states... In order to well establish the meaning of the unknown by the meaning of the known; worldly people normally say space does not exist in any way. Thus partisans claim "All of those proliferations are space" intending "all of those do not exist in any way". Therefore, because of demonstrating the example "The remaining five elements [dhaatu] should be stated to be equivalent with space", space established as emptiness is demonstrated first.
Nagarjuna writes in the Acintyastava... Not arising, unceasing, not annihilated, and not permanent, that is like space, not within the range of words or knowledge.
And in the Bodhicittavivarana... Without characteristics and non-arising, no coming to be, without description, space, awakened mind and awakening posess the characeristic of non-duality. The Buddha of the great nature, who resides in the essence of awakening and all those bearing love, at all times know that emptiness is equivalent with space.
Smirtijnana's commentary on Bodhicittavivarana... "Space and..." is peace; awakened mind [bodhicitta] is non-conceptual wisdom; awakening is the undeceived actual realization of all phenomena. The charactersitic of non-duality is that there is no difference between space and awakened mind. Thus, for example, just as space exists conventionally, not ultimately, likewise awakened mind exists as a correct relative, but not ultimately. The meaning of that is, that "the wisdom of emptiness is like space". Since although it is empty it is also wisdom,therefore, the wisdom of emptiness is natureless. That exists conventionally like space, yet does not exist when investigated.
Call this a "Get Rich Quick" book, but don't call it anything spiritual. It is the antithesis of Buddhist Philosophy, which is based on renunciation and compassion.
Geshe Michael Roach constantly claims that diamonds are the closest thing in our conventional reality to emptiness (the ultimate Buddhist viewpoint on the manner in which all phenomena exist), however the real meaning of emptiness is explained as a mere absence, therefore equating it to diamonds, a positive phenomena, would seem incorrect. Traditionally, if it is likened to anything from conventional reality, it is likened to unobstructed space -- a mere absence.
Geshe Michael Roach states, in his book the Diamond Cutter, which deals with using Buddhist principles to create wealth: "Pure diamond is the closest thing to an absolutely clear physical substance. With no light reflecting off of its surface you cannot see the pure diamond at all. Diamond gives a perfect reflection of light. Diamond is the hardest thing in the universe. A diamond is 3 times as hard as the next hardest mineral. It is a metaphor for that which is absolute. Diamonds represent, in the ancient Tibetan way, a hidden potential in all things: This is usually referred to as 'emptiness".
The title of this book is gleaned from an ancient Buddhist text, whose name is often translated as, "The Diamond Cutter Sutra", however it is also known as the "The Vajra Cutter Sutra" which deals with the subject of emptiness (Vajra is a Sanskrit term having a mean similar to adamantine).
Often translated as Diamond Sutra or Diamond Cutter Sutra. However, the word "vajra" used in the title is not explained as meaning 'diamond' in either the sutra itself or the Indian commentaries we have access to (those of Asabga, Vasubandhu, and Kamalashila).
In fact, the Buddha does not even mention the word 'vajra' in the discourse itself (at least not in the Tibetan or Sanskrit editions), naming it merely "Prajnaparamita": "Subhuti, the name of this Dharma discourse is 'the wisdom gone beyond'; it should be remembered like that."
In his introduction to his edition and translation, the Buddhist scholar Edward Conze said (p. 7): 'It is usual, following Max Mueller, to render Vajracchedika Sutra as 'Diamond sutra'. There is no reason to discontinue this popular usage, but strictly speaking, it is more than unlikely that the Buddhists here understand vajra as the material substance which we call 'diamond.'
Kamalashila's commentary (p. 204a) takes 'vajra' to mean the adamantine implement: 'Like this, it is the 'vajra cutter' in two ways. Because it cuts off the afflicted obstructions and the subtle obstructions to omniscience, which are as difficult to destroy as the vajra -- this indicates its necessity to abandon the two obstructions. Alternatively, the cutting is 'vajra-like' since it is similar to the shape of the vajra: the vajra is made bulbous on the ends and thin in the center. Similarly, this wisdom gone beyond is also taught as extensive in the beginning and the end -- the ground of aspirations activity and the buddha ground. The thin middle indicates the pure grounds of superior intention. Hence, it is like the aspect of a vajra, and this indicates three grounds as its subject matter.'
Buddhapalita states... In order to well establish the meaning of the unknown by the meaning of the known; worldly people normally say space does not exist in any way. Thus partisans claim "All of those proliferations are space" intending "all of those do not exist in any way". Therefore, because of demonstrating the example "The remaining five elements [dhaatu] should be stated to be equivalent with space", space established as emptiness is demonstrated first.
Nagarjuna writes in the Acintyastava... Not arising, unceasing, not annihilated, and not permanent, that is like space, not within the range of words or knowledge.
And in the Bodhicittavivarana... Without characteristics and non-arising, no coming to be, without description, space, awakened mind and awakening posess the characeristic of non-duality. The Buddha of the great nature, who resides in the essence of awakening and all those bearing love, at all times know that emptiness is equivalent with space.
Smirtijnana's commentary on Bodhicittavivarana... "Space and..." is peace; awakened mind [bodhicitta] is non-conceptual wisdom; awakening is the undeceived actual realization of all phenomena. The charactersitic of non-duality is that there is no difference between space and awakened mind. Thus, for example, just as space exists conventionally, not ultimately, likewise awakened mind exists as a correct relative, but not ultimately. The meaning of that is, that "the wisdom of emptiness is like space". Since although it is empty it is also wisdom,therefore, the wisdom of emptiness is natureless. That exists conventionally like space, yet does not exist when investigated.
reviewed by tacos on November 29, 2006 6:11 AM
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This book explains how individuals can use the wisdom of the budhist into the daily lives. The story is based on the success of a diamond company and the small details of management and style will help you in the long run of your company and self growth. I found the author described too much the diamond making process which took away from the general idea of the book on managing your business and life. It was definately an good read although I did not get enough out of the correlation between the poems and life management to figure my "hidden potential". Although it is a different perspective on life and business.
Enjoy the read.
Enjoy the read.
reviewed by geo on November 29, 2006 11:41 AM