Commentary by Alex Johnson

Commentary by Alex Johnson:

Link to Commentary by Alex Johnson Category List

About Commentary by Alex Johnson Postings

I am not an expert on Buddhism, and I am not a Buddhist scholar.

I am what you might call a Buddhist layperson, or possibly a secular Buddhist.

My first book I read on Buddhism was likely the Dhammapada, or Siddhartha. I had developed an interest in Eastern thought and religions after of reading “Remember Be Here Now“, and “The Tao of Physics“.

I began reading about Buddhism at a very young age, and have been interested in it ever since. Buddhism’s insight into psychology and the human condition struck me immediately as deep and containing profound truths.

I will admit my interest and involvement in Buddhism has been inconsistent over the years, but has always been underlying my thinking and way of life since the moment I began reading about it.

Below you can find the various types of commentaries I will offer from time to time on this website.

The Diamond Sutra Commentary

Having immersed myself in the Diamond Sutra many times in the course of having made this translation, reading this translation and making videos of the sutra… I have some thoughts about what it might mean, and how it might relate to Buddhist thought and thinking.

For years I have kept these thoughts to myself, feeling I am not an “expert” on Buddhism and should leave the commentary to the “pros”.

However I decided to express my opinion and views on the Diamond Sutra and Buddhism, after having concluded that my observations should not necessarily have less significance or relevance than many other commentaries on this subject.

I believe Buddhism was meant for everyone, and that there may be those who benefit from my observations and interpretations of this sutra and Buddhism in general.

Posts About the Diamond Sutra

First Teaching From the Diamonds Sutra
Second Teaching From the Diamond Sutra

Enlightenment

For a number of years I had a specific interest in “Enlightenment”, in the Buddhist sense. My intention is to tie in my interest and views on enlightenment with relevant passages in the Diamond Sutra.

I will try not to stray too far from how it relates to the Diamond Sutra, but I have quite an interest in this area and have some things to say about it… and a lot of questions.

Posts About Enlightenment

The Diamond Sutra and Enlightenment
Buddha’s Morning Enlightenment

Emptiness

I also plan to discuss and weigh in on the “emptiness doctrine” in Buddhism. I feel it very much runs through the Diamond Sutra, and hope to show how it does, and the importance of this area of Buddhist thought.

Thinking / Language / Words / Concepts

These topics run throughout the Diamond Sutra, and I would like to touch on those as well.

Trying to express the inexpressible in words and concepts
is something at the heart of the Diamond Sutra.

Opinions Are My Own

I plan to express my opinions as my opinions and views only. I do not represent any Buddhist community, or mode of thought. I do not claim to have any authority or expertise.

I will be drawing on my life experience, and my understanding of Buddhism and what it might mean.

Postings and Your Feedback

I plan on making most of my commentaries in the form of “posts” here on the diamond-sutra.com website.

This way it will be easier for visitors to leave feedback and their thoughts on the subjects.

I hope these commentaries will be of interest to you and that you will share your feedback and thoughts on this website.

Thanks for your support,
Alex Johnson

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