Primary Scriptures
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Sutra Pitaka
The Buddha's Discourses — The Words That Point to Liberation
Overview
The Sutra Pitaka (सूत्र पिटक) — "basket of discourses" — is the second of the three baskets (pitakas) of the Buddhist canon, containing the Buddha's teachings in the form of dialogues, sermons, and discourses. In Theravada tradition, it consists of five nikayas (collections): Digha Nikaya (long discourses), Majjhima Nikaya (middle-length discourses), Samyutta Nikaya (connected discourses), Anguttara Nikaya (numerical discourses), and Khuddaka Nikaya (miscellaneous). In Mahayana tradition, additional sutras were composed after the Buddha's parinirvana, expanding the canon significantly. The Sutra Pitaka contains the core teachings: the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, dependent origination, emptiness, and the path to Nirvana.
Origin & History
The First Discourse
After the Buddha's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, he delivered his first sermon — the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion) — at Sarnath to the five ascetics who had been his companions. This discourse established the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Oral Transmission
The Buddhist canon was transmitted orally for centuries before being written down in Sri Lanka (1st century BCE). The tradition of monastic recitation (bhanaka) preserved the exact words of the Buddha.
Canon Development
- Theravada Canon (Pali Tipitaka): The Pali Canon is considered by Theravadins to contain the Buddha's actual words. It was compiled at the Fourth Buddhist Council in Sri Lanka.
- Mahayana Sutras: New sutras emerged in India from the 1st century BCE onward, claiming to be teachings the Buddha gave to higher audiences (bodhisattvas).
Key Nikayas
Digha Nikaya (Long Discourses):
- Contains 34 suttas including the famous Brahmajala Sutta (on speculative views), Samannaaphala Sutta (on the fruits of ascetic life)
- The DN 33 is the Mahaparinibbana Sutta (Buddha's final days)
Majjhima Nikaya (Middle Discourses):
- 152 suttas covering the range of Buddha's teachings
- Includes the Sabbasava Sutta (alltainments), Satipatthana Sutta (foundations of mindfulness)
Samyutta Nikaya (Connected Discourses):
- Nearly 3000 short discourses organized by topic (khandha, nidana, etc.)
- Excellent for comparative study of specific concepts
Anguttara Nikaya (Numerical Discourses):
- Organized by number — "one thing," "two things," etc.
- Systematic presentation of Buddhist ethics and wisdom
Core Teachings in the Sutra Pitaka
Four Noble Truths
The foundation of Buddhist teaching:
- Dukkha (suffering) exists
- Origin of suffering is craving (tanha)
- Cessation of suffering is possible (nirvana)
- Path to cessation is the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path
Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Dependent Origination (Pratityasamutpada)
The teaching that all phenomena arise dependent on other phenomena — no independent existence. This applies to all compounded things (samkhata).
Emptiness (Sunyata) — Mahayana Teaching
In Mahayana sutras, the teaching of emptiness (sunyata) — all dharmas are empty of self-nature, empty of inherent existence. This extends the Buddha's teaching on anatta (non-self).
Key Suttas
| Sutta | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dhammacakkappavattana | Four Noble Truths, Setting the Wheel | Buddha's first teaching |
| Satipatthana | Four foundations of mindfulness | Core meditation teaching |
| Brahmajala | Refutation of 62 speculative views | Clarifying right view |
| Mahaparinibbana | Buddha's final days and passing | Teaching on death and legacy |
| Sabbasava | How to eliminate mental fermentations | Advanced practice |
| Anatta-lakkhana | Non-self characteristic of all phenomena | Philosophical foundation |
Daily Practice [BEGINNER]
Mindfulness of Breathing (Anapanasati):
- From the Satipatthana Sutta — the primary meditation practice
- Sit comfortably, observe the breath
- When mind wanders, gently return to breath
- Start with 10 minutes, gradually increase
Five Precepts:
- Refrain from killing
- Refrain from stealing
- Refrain from wrong speech
- Refrain from sexual misconduct
- Refrain from intoxicants
Sutta Reading:
- Read one sutta per week from Majjhima Nikaya
- Keep a journal of reflections
Daily Practice [INTERMEDIATE]
Satipatthana Practice:
- Systematic meditation on the four foundations:
- Body (kayannupassi)
- Feelings (vedanannupassi)
- Mind (cittannupassi)
- Dhammas (dhammanupassi)
- Practice 45 minutes to 1 hour daily
Suttanta Study:
- Study the Samyutta Nikaya systematically
- Take one topic (nidana, khandha, etc.) and study all related suttas
Dana Practice:
- Generosity (dana) is central to Buddhist practice
- Give to monks, to the community, to those in need
Daily Practice [SCHOLAR]
Pali Textual Study:
- Learn Pali language for direct study of the canon
- Study the differences between Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka
- Analyze the structure of each nikaya
Mahayana Study:
- Study the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Lotus Sutra
- Compare Mahayana sutras with the Pali canon
- Analyze the concept of "turning the wheel" (dharmachakra)
Comparative Study:
- Compare Buddhist canonical development with Hindu textual development
- Analyze the relationship between Pali canon and Sanskrit Mahayana texts
- Study the Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist canons
Living Tradition
Monastic Practice
The Sutra Pitaka is primarily memorized and chanted by monks (bhikkhus/bhikshunis). Daily chanting of suttas is part of monastic life in all Buddhist traditions.
Lay Practice
Lay Buddhists often:
- Listen to suttas (dhamma desana) on Uposatha days (new/full moon)
- Recite specific suttas for protection (paritta)
- Study suttas with the help of teachers
Meditation Tradition
The Sutta Pitaka is the primary source for meditation instructions. The Satipatthana Sutta is the foundation of all Buddhist meditation systems.
Known Limitations
- Buddhist traditions differ significantly in interpretation — presenting one tradition's view as "the" Buddhist view misrepresents the diversity
- The relationship between Pali Canon and Mahayana sutras is debated — are Mahayana sutras "Buddha's words"?
- The Pali Canon itself has internal variations across different editions (Sri Lankan, Burmese, Thai, etc.)
- Some advanced teachings (emptiness, Buddha-nature) are subject to different interpretations in different schools