Diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities, most of which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. In particular, diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material. Those properties determine the major industrial application of diamond in cutting and polishing tools. I love diamonds on a bur. They help me slice up teeth in preparation for crowns and bridges. Nature’s hardest substance is really quite useful in dentistry and the hardware store.
But apart from its mechanical properties, diamond also has some superlative optical properties. Diamond has relatively high optical dispersion, that is the ability to disperse light of different colours, which results in its characteristic lustre. It catches the eye, it draws attention like a spotlight and everyone knows its cost and value. That’s the part I don’t quite like because of the emotional issues that can arise from it. After all, diamonds are a shallow girl’s best friend. That we all know. But diamonds can also be a shallow girl’s worst enemy (without her being aware of it). That is not so well known.
Personally, I would just smile and walk away when others flaunt their diamonds. I prefer my diamond burs. But in the face of a scintillating gem, not everyone can adopt such a nonchalant attitude. For some, fascination turns into admiration, admiration turns into envy, envy turns into insult and insult turns into anger. Such shallowness and immaturity are not always associated with low education. Very often, I find it deeply ingrained in certain family and societal values.
On Borobudur, the final steps on the climb takes the pilgrim above the galleries, niches and walls. Stupas on an open platform offering spendid views of the surrounding fields and volcanoes. The message to the pilgrim is clear. The highest level on Borobudur is Arupadatu or the realm of formlessness. Beyond our daily struggles for creature comforts and even some simple luxuries, Buddhism offers me a balanced perspective on wealth and riches. I do like to be rich, but I think there is such a thing as a healthy desire for wealth. And a good sign of being healthy is not feeling any sense of injustice or indignance when diamonds which we “deserve” somehow end up on the fingers of “lesser” beings. One does not need to be a saint to not get all worked up when our “inferiors” glitter and sparkle with gems that we don’t have. I’m happy with my books, my tea, my wine and of course my diamond burs. Who cares about what others are wearing on their wrists, fingers and necks when I can have some peace, quiet and humble prosperity?
The Buddha said in no uncertain terms that all the beauty and riches around us are transient. Pursue yes, but to be obsessed, no. The Dharmapada teaches us to “gather flowers, but not to be distracted”. At no time were these teachings more meaningful than when I was backpacking in Third World countries. Yet, in many supposedly Buddhist societies, the promise of a splendidly beautiful paradise overflowing with riches is used to encourage devotees to “make merit”.
What about the concept of impermanence? What about the fact that graphite is more stable than diamond? And diamonds gradually decay into graphite over millions of years? What about blood diamonds that finance wars and cost thousands of lives and limbs in Africa? Would we regard someone who wears a blood diamond with awe, respect or even envy? Would people who are fond of diamonds bother to check that the gems that encrust their heavenly vehicles are conflict-free? Interestingly, the conflicts in Africa sometimes get grafted onto the purchasing individuals. They may have to deal with jealousy, competition, theft or even murder.
Have diamond, have pride. No diamond, no love. That’s far easier to understand, I guess. Who cares about Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Politics or even Buddhism? Anyway, the real Diamond Sutra is here:
http://www.diamond-sutra.com/diamond_sutra_translation.html
