The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Managing Your Business and Your Life [Paperback]

Geshe Michael Roach (Author), Lama Christie McNally (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2009

The now classic work on Buddhism and business from the foremost American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism— reissued in a tenth anniversary edition with compelling case studies that showcase its principles in action around the globe.

With a unique combination of ancient and contemporary wisdom from Tibetan Buddhism, THE DIAMOND CUTTER presents readers with empowering strategies for success in their personal and professional lives. The book is presented in three layers. The first is a translation of The Diamond Sutra, an ancient text of conversations between the Buddha and his close disciple, Subhuti. The second contains quotes from some of the best commentaries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. And the third layer, the main text, is the practical application of Buddhist philosophies to the world of business, based upon Geshe Michael Roach's seventeen-years of experience as an employee of the Andin International Diamond Corporation, a company that grew during his tenure from four employees to a world leader in the jewelry industry.
Roach’s easy style and spiritual understanding make THE DIAMOND CUTTER an invaluable source of timeless wisdom for those familiar or unfamiliar with Tibetan Buddhism. His focus on practical personal and business applications has resonated with and changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals the world over since its original publication.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Other Buddhist books offer you a path to happiness, Geshe Michael Roach offers a path to wealth. Roach, who while being a monk helped build a $100 million business, demonstrates how ancient notions in The Diamond Cutter sutra can help you succeed, and if you're in business that means to make money, a lot of it. Drawing on lessons he learned in the diamond business and years in Buddhist monasteries, Roach shows how taking care of others is the ultimate path to taking care of oneself, even--especially--in business. As he puts it, you have to engage in "mental gardening," which means doing certain practical things that will form new habits that will create an ideal reality for you. If this sounds a little outrageous, his very precise instructions are down to earth and address numerous specific issues common to the business/management world. Through this practice, you will become a considerate, generous, introspective, creative person of immense integrity, and that will be the key to your wealth. At first this book comes off like a gimmick and the writing isn't without rough patches, but page by page, as Roach introduces you to the practical details and real-life examples, his arguments become more convincing. A cross between the Dalai Lama's ethics and Stephen Covey's Seven Habits, The Diamond Cutter will have you gardening a path to the bank. --Brian Bruya --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In the vein of Richard D. Phillips's The Heart of an Executive: Lessons on Leadership from the Life of King David, this book offers a practical application of Buddhist teachings to managing business and life. A Buddhist monk and former diamond district executive, Roach says that the three Buddhist-inspired principles on which he built his success can be applied to other businesses and other circumstances. The principles stipulate that businesses should be profitable, that we should enjoy the money we earn, not working ourselves so hard earning it that we can't enjoy the nice home or relaxing trip it might provide, and that we should be able to claim, when all is said and done, that our years in business were meaningful. "To summarize," writes Roach, "the goal of business, and of ancient Tibetan wisdom... is to enrich ourselves." Roach's uncritical tendency to marry Buddhism and capitalism without so much as a raised eyebrow might give readers pause. (In the end, Roach redeems himself a little by suggesting that the Buddhist teachings of Limitlessness imply that everyone could have enough wealth.) The principles he propounds are appealing, indeed, but they tell us much more about current-day attitudes toward work and money than they do about "ancient Tibetan wisdom." Entrepreneurs seeking solid advice for worldly success may find this book helpful, but those interested in Tibetan Buddhism will likely consider it superficial. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038552868X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385528689
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.2 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Buddha
  • #51 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Consciousness & Thought

More About the Author

Michael Roach is a fully ordained Buddhist monk who received his geshe (Master of Buddhism) degree from Sera Mey Tibetan Monastery after twenty-two years of study. A teacher of Buddhism since 1981, he is also a scholar of Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Russian, and has translated numerous works.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Splendid Read for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists. April 27, 2000

By Susanna Hutcheson TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had never heard of Michael Roach until I searched out Shoutcast (Internet Radio) and found the Tibetan Buddhist station. Being of that tradition, I was delighted to find the station.

The program that was on at that time was Dharma talks by Michael on The Heart Sutra, a most important Buddhist teaching.

I was so taken with his messages and the way he could get these deep ideas across so easily that I wanted to learn more about him. That's when I discovered that he had a new book out, The Diamond Cutter. So I bought a copy at Amazon.

Michael spent many years in the New York Diamond industry. He explains that he was attracted to diamonds because they are the hardest form in the universe.

This book is about business. It is about the problems that we all encounter in business daily. And it tells us how to handle the problem and why every problem has a cause, perhaps not in this lifetime but in some lifetime.

Michael clearly explains why some people who are greedy and unkind are successful. No, it's nothing they've done in this life but rather they did something of merit in another life that brought the wealth in this lifetime. But in another lifetime they will reap the Karma they're now sowing.

He tells us that if we wish to be wealthy, we need to be generous with our money and our time.

Michael uses his vast knowledge of the diamond industry to teach business ethics from a Buddhist perspective based on the all-important teaching of Lord Buddha in His Diamond Cutter (Vajrachchedika sutra).

I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who cares about their business, their relationships, their finances and their life in general.

59 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't know what to say.. (79 stars!!!:)) February 22, 2006

By J. Malnar

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

and I don't end up speechless often.

Since I started reading this book 4 days ago I retold the basics of its lessons to half a dozen friends, and they have been adding their names to the waiting list to borrow it.

This book came into my life at the time when I already reached the level of spiritual understanding needed to put it into practice.

The bottom line of the book (and the buddhist teaching) is that every thing we DO, SAY and THINK, leaves an imprint onto our minds. Good or bad.

The more positive imprints we "stamp" onto our consciousness, the more positive our life's circumstances will be, resulting in more positive experiences.

Most desirable imprints we can plant in our minds, summarized in an 1800 years old poem by an indian master (quoted from the book):

I'll tell you briefly the fine qualities

of those on path of compassion

Giving, and ethics, patience and effort,

concentrating, wisdom, compassion and such.

Giving is giving away what you have,

And ethics is doing good to others.

Patience is giving up feelings of anger,

And effort is joy that increases all good.

Concentration 's one pointed, free of bad thoughts,

And wisdom decides what truth really is.

Compassion's a kind of high intelligence

Mixed deep with love for all living kind.

Giving brings wealth, a good world comes from ethics;

Patience brings beauty, eminence comes from effort.

Concentration brings peace, and from wisdom comes freedom;

Compassion achieves everything we all wish for.

On how to use the knowledge given in Buddha's teaching in everyday life, do read the book. Its going to change your life. Or rather, it will give you tools to start changing your life.

I already started changing mine.

75 of 94 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars The Path to the Dark Side March 22, 2007

By Ben Miller

Format:Paperback

Wow, what a troubling book, wherein the principles of Social Darwinism are twisted with Buddhist philosophy. According to the author, not only does one attain wealth and success by being the smartest, strongest or "fittest"--but by being the most spiritual as well! If only that were true...unfortunately, my life experience in the world of film and business has led me to observe the exact opposite. Let's take this quote from the "Diamond Cutter":

"The greatest business people have a deep inner capacity - they hunger, as we all do, but perhaps more strongly - for a true spiritual life. They have seen more of the world than most of us; they know what it can give them, and what it cannot. They demand a logic in spiritual things; they demand that the method and the results be clear, as clear as the terms in any business deal. Often they have dropped out from an active spiritual life - not because they are greedy or lazy, but simply because no path has measured up to their demands. The Diamond Cutter was literally made for these people - talented, tough and savvy... The wisdom of The Diamond Cutter says that the very people who are attracted to business are exactly the ones who have the inner strength to grasp and carry out the deeper practices of the spirit."

By this rationale, Donald Trump should be one of the most profoundly spiritual human beings on the planet. And the impovershed Buddhist masters of old should be spiritually bankrupt. I am wondering how the author of "The Diamond Cutter" would reconcile his philosophy against the teachings of past Buddhist Masters, such as the following by Ehei Dogen:

"To study the Way, first of all, you learn poverty. After having learned poverty and becoming poor, you will be intimate with the Way. From the time of Shakyamuni, up to the present day, I have never seen or heard of a true student of the Way who possessed great wealth." --Shobogenzo-zuimonki

Or the following from 20th century zen master Kodo Sawaki:

"It's clear what you like: having sex, wining and dining, and making yourself a career without having to make an effort. Running after what you like and running away from what you don't like is what is meant by 'wandering around in the impermanent world'. Even a rat begins to run if you give him an electric shock."

Perhaps that doesn't quite gel with our modern consumerist, "success" oriented culture...and as such, "The Diamond Cutter" may sell more copies by offering needy folks a quick route to fame and fortune. Sad to say, "The Diamond Cutter" is the path to the Dark Side, and directly conflicts with the very foundations of Buddhism. Run a thousand miles from this stuff...