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, PATERNOSTER ROW. G. P. PHILES & CO., NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. F. A. BROCKHAUS, LEIPZIG. MDCCCLXV. STEPHEN AUSTIN PRINTER, HERTFORD. Introduction [Presented December, 1863]. True words (Dháraṅi) to be used for cleansing the mouth previous to a perusal of this work. Seou-li Seou-li [Śri Śri.] Ma-ha Seou-li [Mahá Śri.] Seou-seou-li [Sau Śri.] Sah-po-ho [Svah.] 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). Most of these works were afterwards re-translated by Hiouen Thsang: his version, however, of the work we are now considering is not so commonly used in China as that by Kumára-jíva. A translation of this Sútra from the Mongolian has been published by M. Schmidt. I have not had an opportunity of comparing it with the Chinese. The work is divided into thirty-two sections, each of which has a distinct title and subject of discussion. Sútra _Cap. I. relates the circumstances under which the religious assembly was convoked, and from that shows how the discussion arose._