Although the word 'Diamond Way' may sound like a fancy invention of modern times, in fact it is the direct translation of a term used for centuries to describe a particular approach within Buddhism.

The Sanskrit term is 'Vajrayana', the Tibetan equivalent is 'Dorje Tegpa'. There are several reasons why the diamond was chosen as a symbol for this approach.

First, the diamond is the most perfect and precious stone, indicating that these are the highest teachings given by the Buddha. Furthermore, it is the hardest stone and has a natural radiance.

The diamond thus also refers to the inherent qualities of our mind: it is indestructible – as it was never born – and naturally radiant – as it possesses the ability to bring about and experience unlimited amounts of phenomena.

The basic confidence that this indestructible radiant clarity is the essential nature of our mind (we call it Buddha nature) constitutes the foundation for our Buddhist practice. By this, qualities like fearlessness, joy and active compassion naturally are discovered in our own minds.

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Did you know that the book thought to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world is a Buddhist text?

The Diamond Sutra, which bears the date 868 AD, was found in a walled-up cave in Dunhuang, north-west China, in 1907, along with other printed items.

It consists of a scroll of grey paper printed with Chinese characters, wrapped around a wooden pole. The book was printed about 587 years before the Gutenberg Bible.

More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Sutra

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