Saṃyukta Āgama

SA 379: The Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML • Article

The first discourse of the Buddha, teaching the Four Noble Truths at Deer Park.

Ekottara Āgama

EA 17.1: The Ānāpānasmṛti Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Meditation on the vital breath as a means to cultivate samādhi.

The Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Translated by Kumārajīva in 401 CE (T08n235). Also known as the Diamond Sūtra and the Vajra Sūtra, this early Prajñāpāramitā sūtra presents a teaching given by the Buddha to Elder Subhūti on the subject of how to attain Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi. The classical 32 chapters designated by Crown Prince Zhaoming of the Liang Dynasty have been adapted into 36 paragraphs for this version. At the end of the Kumārajīva edition is a mantra for the sūtra, which has been included in this translation.

The Shorter Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Translated by Xuanzang in 649 CE (T08n251). Also known as the Heart Sūtra, this is a condensation of the Prajñāpāramitā teachings, along with a meditation method in the form of a mantra as skillful means. This original short version has been popularly recited and studied across many traditions, and continues to be in modern times. Xuanzang also recited it on his travels to and from the various kingdoms of India.

The Longer Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Translated by Prajñā in 790 CE (T08n253). The Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra exists principally in a short version and in two differing longer versions. The translation presented here is of the standard long version. This longer sūtra provides context for the main teaching of the text, including statements clearly indicating that Prajñāpāramitā is the practice of bodhisattvas, rather than mere philosophy.

The Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Translated by Kumārajīva in 402 CE (T12n366). Also known as the Amitābha Sūtra, this text describes the pure land of Sukhāvatī and how to enter into this realm, through various skillful means and explanations of truth. The sūtra advocates the practice of reciting the name of Amitābha as a mantra. At the end of the Kumārajīva edition is a mantra for rebirth in Sukhāvatī, along with instructions for it passed down from another Indian master. This section of the text has also been included in the English translation.

The Cundī Dhāraṇī Sūtra • PDF • TXT • XML

Translated by Divākara in 685 CE (T20n1077). In this sūtra, the Buddha teaches the Cundī Dhāraṇī to help people in later times. The dhāraṇī is introduced for the first time in the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra, in which a bodhisattva endeavors in attaining samādhi using the mantra “oṃ maṇipadme hūṃ.” After attaining this samādhi, innumerable perfectly enlightened buddhas reply in one voice with the Great Cundī Dhāraṇī.

The Classic of Purity and Stillness • PDF • TXT • XML

Written during the Tang Dynasty (DZ 620). The Classic of Purity and Stillness, also known as the Qīng Jìng Jīng, is an important and central text in the Daoist religion. It builds upon the Lǎozǐ and uses the literary style of the Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra to explain the method of attaining the Dào in systematic, cascading logic with few adornments. The text has been commented upon extensively, is universally praised, and is commonly recited to this day.