When a Monk Meets a Diamond

Author: (American) Choegyal Rinpoche
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-19
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 in the United States to enter the monastic life? How did he transform a small company with a $50,000 debt into a billion-dollar annual revenue 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 profound admiration for him. He is in the business world yet practices pure conduct. Especially, he possesses wisdom far beyond ordinary people, integrating and applying the Diamond Sutra to business operations, unleashing the potential of all methods. This is a book worth reading for all entrepreneurs, industrialists, especially those in the financial industry, 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. — Ven. Hsingting, 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? Trying to find answers to boredom or distress? Or simply flipping through the pages? Whether conscious or subconscious, there must be some subtle connection at play. Many people have paid a heavy price for wealth, losing their physical and mental health and happiness. What is the meaning of such a life? Therefore, Choegyal Rinpoche emphasizes that true success comes from giving one’s heart and mind to it, valuing 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, Department of Humanities, Huafan University
This book combines the ancient and modern 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 personal experience at Antler, the author 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, which were based on the business strategies presented in this book—i.e., the Buddhist principles you see here.
The first principle is: To succeed in business, one must make money. There is no conflict between making money and practicing Dharma. In fact, it can become part of one’s practice. Money itself is not guilty, and those with more resources can certainly do more good. The question is, how do we make money? Do we understand where it comes from and how to ensure it flows endlessly? And do we face it with a healthy attitude?
The second principle is: We should be able to enjoy money. In other words, we should learn to make money while maintaining physical and mental health. The process of creating wealth should not exhaust us; otherwise, we lose the original purpose of doing business.
The third principle is: 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 good 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 beliefs, can learn and apply the lessons it teaches.