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DictionarysutraReligious teaching
noun

sutra

SOO-truh/ˈsuːtrə/

A scripture or concise teaching in an Indian religious tradition.

The palm-leaf sutra lies partly open between its wooden covers.

A traditional palm-leaf sutra manuscript resting partly opened between simple wooden covers on a folded cloth, with its binding cord clearly visible.
Etymology
sutraSanskritthread; rule

Sanskrit sūtra meant “thread” and, through its use as a measure of straightness, “rule.” That sense of a guiding rule underlies its application to sacred or instructional texts.

In context

Modern-Day Debate20:48
if you read the 16th chapter of the lotus sutra held to be the beating heart of mahayana buddhism shakyamuni's final and ultimate teaching
DEBATE: Who Was/Is Jesus? | Atheist David Fitzgerald Vs Buddhist Brenton Vs Christian CJ

More examples

  • The monks recite a Buddhist sutra together.
  • This short sutra presents a central teaching of yoga.
  • She compares two English translations of the same sutra.

Forms

sutra · sutras

Similar words

scripture
Scripture covers sacred writings broadly, not specifically Indian religious teachings.
aphorism
An aphorism states a general principle without necessarily being religious.