While the Sutra is simply of a conversation between the Buddha and a disciple by the name of Subhuti while being surrounded by 1000 other disciples at Anathapindika’s grove, its meaning has been debated upon for as long as it has been known. Its paradoxical statements that conflict with each other in such a way that would make even philosophers pause is the reason why it survives in the modern era.

An example of this can be seen in this passage:

Furthermore, the Lord said this to the Venerable Subhuti, “What do you think, Subhuti? Is there anything whatsoever that the Tathagata has fully awakened to, or any dharma whatsoever that the Tathagata has taught, as supreme and perfect awakening?” 

Subhuti said, “Lord, as I understand the meaning of what the Lord has preached, there is no dharma whatsoever that the Tathagata has fully awakened to, nor any dharma whatsoever that the Tathagata has taught, as supreme and perfect awakening. Why is that? The dharma which the Tathagatahas taught is ungraspable, it is ineffable, it is neither a dharma nor a nondharma. Why is that? Because the Noble Persons are distinguished by the power they derive from the unconditioned.”

A tiny glimpse to why it is called The Diamond Sutra are these passages that are the mainstay of the Sutra and there are many reasons that have been speculated to the meaning of them.

Many people believe the work to concern the state of reality; that everything is ever-changing and that nothing stays the same. 

Some believe that the Sutra is a kind of medicine for the soul treating the infection that is spiritual ignorance – the end goal being the ‘perfection of wisdom’ prescribed by none other than the Buddha.

Even the beginning passage is described by some as a kind of teaching in and of itself. The passage is described as following:

“Then the Lord got dressed in the morning, took his bowl and robe, and entered the great city of Sråvasti for alms. Then, after walking around the great city of Sråvasti for alms, the Lord returned in the afternoon after eating the alms food, washed his feet, and sat down on the seat set out for him with legs crossed, body held erect and attention directed in front of him.”

While simple in execution (and a regular routine for monks) the Buddha is said to always be teaching whether through or action. With the following passage as an example it shows that the Buddha lives and breathes his teachings and principles with the ultimate end goal of liberating others. The giving up of one’s own possessions is of special interest as it flows into not being attached to even the charity that would be given to the Buddha.

While many have ideas  as to what its exact meaning is why don’t you give the The Diamond Sutra a read online? You may be able to find something that no one else has managed to find within the Diamond Sutra!