Diamond Perfection of Wisdom Sutra: Subtle Remaining Commentary

It is commonly said that the phrase "Buddha Speaks" is added, as in "Buddha Speaks the Diamond Sutra," but this is a mistaken addition by later generations. It should be understood that sutras can be spoken by five types of beings: the Buddha, bodhisattvas, disciples, heavenly beings, and transformed beings. If a sutra includes words spoken by the other four types, it is not titled "Buddha Speaks." Only if the entire sutra is spoken by the Buddha's golden mouth is it labeled "Buddha Speaks" to distinguish it from those that include words from the other four. However, why are they still called sutras? It should be understood that even if spoken by the other four, once the Buddha confirms them, they are equivalent to the Buddha's words and thus can be called sutras. The Great Treatise states: "When the other four are confirmed, they are all called 'Buddha Speaks.'" If so, since they are all called "Buddha Speaks," what is wrong with labeling them as such? It should be understood that although they are all called "Buddha Speaks" and thus qualify as sutras, they are not necessarily spoken by the Buddha's golden mouth. If spoken by the Buddha's golden mouth, it is only for that specific occasion. Moreover, this sutra has six translations. The translations by Kumārajīva, Bodhiruci of the Wei dynasty, and Paramārtha of the Chen dynasty are all titled "Diamond Sutra." The translation by Jñānagupta of the Sui dynasty is titled "Diamond That Cuts Through Wisdom," while the translations by Xuanzang of the Tang dynasty and Yijing of the Zhou dynasty are both titled "Wisdom That Cuts Through the Diamond." Thus, due to differences in the titles, the interpretations also vary. Jñānagupta placed "cuts through" after "diamond," using the diamond's hardness and sharpness as a metaphor for wisdom, thus titling it "Diamond That Cuts Through Wisdom"—a metaphorical title. Xuanzang and Yijing placed "cuts through" before "diamond," as in "Bodhisattvas cling firmly like a diamond, and the wisdom of emptiness can cut through this clinging," thus titling it "Wisdom That Cuts Through the Diamond"(as recorded in the Biography of Xuanzang)—a single-method title. Since the wisdom of emptiness is the means to cut through, and the diamond is what is cut through, is this not a single-method interpretation? Master Xiaohai of Korea also wrote a commentary on this sutra, aligning with Xuanzang's interpretation, but neither is adopted. Asaṅga's treatise uses a metaphorical title, and Kumārajīva's translation aligns with this intent.

You should know that not only is diamond the hardest here, but even refined steel cannot be melted after a hundred smeltings.