When a Monk Meets a Diamond

Author: Choegyal Rinpoche
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: On the surface, he is a successful entrepreneur in the diamond industry; at his core, he is a Geshe with the highest degree in Tibetan Buddhism. Why did he leave Princeton University for the monastic life? How did he transform a small company with a $50,000 debt into a billion-dollar enterprise? He says: Money itself is not guilty. All of this is in The Diamond Sutra by Michael Roch, a man I don’t know, but after reading his book When an Monk Meets a Diamond, I developed deep admiration for him. He thrives in the business world while practicing pure conduct. Especially, he possesses extraordinary wisdom, integrating the Diamond Sutra and applying its potential to business operations. This is a book worth reading for all entrepreneurs, industrialists, especially those in the financial sector, as well as all Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. For followers of Humanistic Buddhism, it is also highly valuable. I will introduce more people to read this book.
— Hsin-teng, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Temple, Taiwan
What motivates you to pick up this book? Is it the title on the cover? Curiosity about the author’s background? Or perhaps a search for answers to boredom and distress? Or simply flipping through the pages? Whether conscious or subconscious, there must be some subtle force at play connecting and moving many people. For the sake of earning money, they have paid a heavy price, losing their physical and mental health and happiness. What is the meaning of such a life? Therefore, Choegyal Rinpoche states that true success comes from giving one’s heart to it, emphasizing the harmony of body and mind. Taking himself as an example, he points out that properly utilizing time and developing the power of the mind can lead to twice the result with half the effort.
— Liu Wanli, Assistant Professor of the Department of Humanities, Huafan University
This book combines the ancient and contemporary wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism, presenting strategies for achieving career success and a fulfilling life. Geshe (PhD in Buddhist Studies) Michael Roch is one of today’s great masters teaching Tibetan Buddhism and a co-founder of Antler International Diamonds. The company, which started with $50,000, now generates over $100 million in annual sales. Through his firsthand experience at Antler, he allows readers to understand the ancient Buddhist wisdom from a fresh perspective. The outstanding performance of Antler International Diamonds is mainly due to the decisions and policies made by the author during his tenure as vice president, all of which applied the business strategies presented in this book—i.e., the Buddhist principles you see here.
The first principle is that to succeed in business, one must make money. Making money and practicing Dharma are not at odds with each other. In fact, it can even become part of the practice. Money itself is not guilty, and those with more resources can certainly do more good. The question is, how do we earn money? Do we understand where it comes from, how to make it flow endlessly, and whether we face it with a healthy attitude?
The second principle is that we should be able to enjoy money. In other words, we should learn to earn money while maintaining physical and mental well-being. The process of creating wealth should not exhaust us; otherwise, we lose the original purpose of doing business.
The third principle is that we should be able to look back on our careers and tell ourselves that our efforts have been meaningful. Every business, like every life, has an end. The most important moment in our careers is when we look back at our achievements and see that our methods of running the business and managing our lives hold eternal significance, leaving a positive example for the world. This is the inspiration we gain from the success of the diamond division of Antler International. Anyone, regardless of background or belief, can learn and apply the lessons it teaches.