The Diamond Sutra Reborn:

By William AltigAn American Blues Interpretation

Philosophy

Spirituality and Religion

Length1h 19m

About this book

Summary

The Buddha's teaching on cutting through illusion—the Diamond that cuts all things—interpreted through the soul of American Blues. For fifteen centuries, the Diamond Sutra has been teaching practitioners how to see through the illusions of self, time, and permanence. Now, translator William Altig brings these razor-sharp teachings to life through the language of Blues that knows suffering and knows freedom. All conditioned things are like a dream, a phantom, a drop of dew, a flash of lightning. That's what the Blues has always known. Part of The Sutra Reborn Series—Ancient Buddhist wisdom in American Blues voice. Also in this series: The Heart Sutra Reborn, The Dhammapada Reborn, The Lotus Sutra, The Immeasurable Meanings Sutra

Book information

Rating

★★★★★ (5.0) (1)

Genre

Philosophy, Spirituality and Religion

Length

1 hr 19 mins

Publish date

Dec 14, 2025

Language

English

About the Author

William Altig

William Altig is a cultural translator and author whose blues interpretation of the Lotus Sutra draws on the rich tradition of African American spiritual performance. His work honors the text's history of oral transmission while engaging contemporary performance traditions including blues, gospel, spoken word, and theater. The complete translation is designed for performance and includes specific guidance for oral delivery, pacing, emphasis, and emotional resonance. Altig is available for readings, collaborative artistic projects, and educational workshops on dharma and the performing arts.View all Audiobooks by William Altig

1The Diamond Sutra Reborn: An American Blues Interpretation

23Chapter 17: Ultimate Selflessness: The Question That Won't Let You Go

2A Complete Original Translation in Blues Vernacular

24Part Four: The Paradoxes: Chapters 18-31

3Introduction: The Blues of Emptiness

25Chapter 18: Five Eyes, Three Minds: Seeing Everything by Holding Nothing

4Part One: The Opening: Chapters 1-2

26Chapter 19: Merit is Non-existent: The Emptiness That Makes It Immeasurable

5Chapter 1: The Scene: Enlightenment in the Everyday

27Chapter 20: The Complete Physical Body: Even Perfection Ain't the Buddha