Vajra-chhediká, the "Kin Kong King," or Diamond Sútra

Translated From the Chinese
by the
Rev. S. Beal, Chaplain, R.N.
THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
NEW SERIES.
VOLUME THE FIRST.
LONDON: TRÜBNER & CO., 60, PASTERNOSTER ROW. G. P. PHILES & CO., NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. F. A. BROCKHAUS, LEIPZIG. MDCCCLXV.
STEPHEN AUSTIN
PRINTER, HERTFORD.
True words (Dháraṅi) to be used for cleansing the mouth previous to a perusal of this work.
True words (Dháraṅi) (fit for) the pure condition of Being. Om! Lam! Afterwards follow eight invocations to the different Vajras.
This work belongs to a class of Buddhist books called Prajná Páramitá. It was translated first into the Chinese by Kumára-jíva (A.D. 405), who was brought into China from Thibet. “The King of Tsin had sent an army into that country with directions not to return without the Indian whose fame had spread amongst all the neighbouring nations. The former translations of Buddhist works were to a great extent erroneous. To produce them in a form more accurate and complete was the task undertaken by Kumára-jíva. More than eight hundred priests were called to assist him; and the king himself, an ardent disciple of the new faith, was present at the conference, holding the old copies in his hand as the work of correction proceeded. More than three hundred volumes were thus prepared.” (Edkins).