Sutra

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S?TRA

The Sanskrit word s?tra (P?li, sutta), or "discourse," is the name generally given to any text said to contain the words or the teaching of the Buddha. Whether or not it actually does is another matter; many s?tras clearly postdate the Buddha's time. Typically, a s?tra begins with the phrase "Thus have I heard," which is presumed by tradition to be the words of the Buddha's attendant ?nanda repeating at the First Council what he heard the Buddha say at a given time and place. The s?tra-pi?aka (basket of discourses) represents one of three major divisions of the Buddhist canon (Tripi?aka), the others being the vinaya and the abhidharma.

See also:?gama/Nik?ya; Councils, Buddhist; Scripture

John S. Strong

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