The Tipitaka, commonly referred to as the Pali Canon, stands as the most authoritative and ancient collection of Buddhist scriptures in the Theravada tradition. Its name, "Tipitaka," translates to "Three Baskets," categorizing the canon into three main sections – the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.

The first part is called the Vinaya Pitaka. Imagine it like a rulebook for monks and nuns. It tells them how to live a good and ethical life, helping them get along with each other and keep things peaceful. The Sutta Pitaka, the second basket, comprises the discourses of the Buddha. These suttas cover a diverse range of topics, including ethics, meditation, philosophy, and psychology. The discourses are presented in various formats, such as dialogues, narratives, and verse.

The third basket is the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Think of it as a kind of encyclopedia that explains the Buddha's teachings in a more detailed way. It talks about the mind, thoughts, and the nature of reality. It's like a guidebook for those who want to explore the deeper aspects of Buddhist teachings.

Tipitaka is ranked first among the most sacred texts of Buddhism because the oldest and most authentic words of the Buddha are held within it. It's like a treasure passed down through the generations. The Tipitaka is written in a language called Pali, and it's like a timeless guide for Buddhists who want to follow the path of wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. Whether you're a monk, a nun, or someone who loves to learn about Buddhism, the Tipitaka is a source of guidance, like a wise friend helping you on your journey.

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Link to read: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/

Composed in the Pali language, the Dhammapada is a collection of verses that encapsulate the core ethical and practical teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. It’s one of the most widely read and cherished texts in Buddhism. The verses are presented in a poetic and accessible style, making the teachings easy to memorize and suitable for contemplation.

The Dhammapada is part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, one of the divisions of the Pali Canon in Theravada Buddhism. Consisting of 423 verses, the Dhammapada is organized into 26 chapters, each addressing different aspects of human conduct and the path to enlightenment. It talks about things like being in control of your mind, being kind and patient, and understanding how our actions affect our lives. The Buddha shares wisdom on many everyday things, like dealing with anger, being generous, and finding true happiness.

The Dhammapada emphasizes the development of one's character and the cultivation of wisdom. The text opens with the famous verse, "Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought," highlighting the importance of the mind in shaping one's experiences and actions.

The Dhammapada's enduring appeal lies in its simplicity, clarity, and relevance to the human condition. Many Buddhists read and memorize verses from this text because they're like friendly reminders of living a good life. As one of the most sacred texts of Buddhism, the Dhammapada continues to serve as a guide for those seeking a path of ethical conduct, mental discipline, and spiritual awakening.

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The Diamond Sutra, also known as the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, is a fundamental and revered text in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly within the Zen tradition. Translated from Sanskrit, the title "Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra" can be understood as the "Diamond Cutter Perfection of Wisdom Sutra." This ancient scripture holds a special place in Buddhist literature. It is also considered one of the earliest and most important texts in the Prajñāpāramitā genre.

The name "Diamond Sutra" comes from the idea that the teachings in this book are as strong as a diamond, cutting through all the things that might trick our minds. It talks a lot about "prajñāpāramitā," which means the "perfection of wisdom." This is like a super wise understanding of how things really are, beyond how they might seem.

The text is presented as a conversation between the Buddha and his disciple, Subhuti. They talk about deep ideas like emptiness, impermanence, and how we might misunderstand who we really are. The Diamond Sutra challenges conventional perceptions and encourages followers to transcend dualistic thinking. One cool thing about the Diamond Sutra is that it encourages people to be kind and generous. It says that giving without expecting anything in return, like a gift without strings attached, is really important. This helps us let go of attachments and be happier.

The Diamond Sutra is part of the larger Prajñāpāramitā literature, which includes various texts focused on the perfection of wisdom. It has been widely studied and revered in East Asian Buddhism, especially in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Zen traditions. The power of the Diamond Sutra lies in its assistance for people to see through illusions and understand the truth about life, making it a precious gem in the treasure trove of Buddhist teachings.

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Link to read: https://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/prajparagen2.pdf

The Lotus Sutra, also known as the Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra, is a central and revered text in Mahayana Buddhism. The name "Saddharma Puṇḍarīka" means the "Lotus of the Good Dharma." It's like a guidebook full of stories and wisdom, helping people on their journey to become better and kinder human beings.

The Lotus Sutra is presented as a discourse delivered by the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, on Vulture Peak in India. The book talks about something very important: that everyone has the potential to become a Buddha. A Buddha is someone who has reached the highest state of understanding and compassion. One of the key teachings of the Lotus Sutra is the concept of the "Buddha vehicle" (Buddhayana), which asserts that there is one ultimate path to enlightenment. And all the diverse teachings of the Buddha are skillful means to lead beings to this ultimate realization.

The Lotus Sutra also tells stories to explain its teachings. One famous story is the Parable of the Burning House, where a wise father uses skillful means to save his children from danger. This story teaches us about the Buddha's compassion and guidance. Another part talks about Bodhisattvas, who are like spiritual heroes trying to help everyone reach enlightenment. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, for example, makes a special vow to help people in need, showing the importance of compassion.

As one of the most sacred texts of Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra has been highly influential in shaping the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, particularly in East Asia. It has been revered and studied by various schools, including Tiantai in China and Tendai in Japan. The Lotus Sutra continues to inspire countless practitioners with its message of inclusivity, compassion, and the universal potential for enlightenment.

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Link to read: https://terebess.hu/english/J.C.Cleary-Lotus.pdf

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, also known as the Bardo Thodol, is like a spiritual guidebook from Tibetan Buddhism. It's a special text that helps people who have passed away and are going through the stages between death and being born again. The word "Bardo" means this in-between state.

Padmasambhava, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, is often credited with this book. People think he hid these teachings, and later they were found, becoming a valuable guide for those dealing with death. When someone dies, monks or spiritual guides might read The Tibetan Book of the Dead aloud to help the person who has passed away. The book talks about what the soul might go through and how to handle different situations in the afterlife. It is based on the belief in things like reincarnation, which means being born again, and karma, the idea that our actions affect our future.

The text offers instructions on recognizing various visionary phenomena. It helps the deceased to maintain awareness and avoid being overwhelmed by fear or attachment. It also teaches that the actions and attitudes of the deceased during the bardo profoundly influence their subsequent rebirth. The ultimate goal is to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death, reaching a state of enlightenment or Buddhahood.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is not only a guide for the deceased but also serves as a contemplative tool for the living. Reading and thinking about the teachings can help people understand important things, like how everything is always changing and the importance of being kind and positive. Even though it talks about serious topics, the Tibetan Book of the Dead is meant to be a helpful and compassionate guide. It reminds everyone about the possibility of spiritual growth and enlightenment, even in the face of big changes like death.

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The Heart Sutra (Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra) is a concise yet profound Buddhist scripture that holds a special place in Mahayana Buddhism. "Prajñāpāramitā" translates to the "Perfection of Wisdom," and "Hṛdaya" means "heart." The Heart Sutra is celebrated for encapsulating the essence of the profound teachings on emptiness (śūnyatā) and the nature of reality.

This short text is part of the larger Prajñāpāramitā literature, which explores the concept of transcendent wisdom leading to enlightenment. Even though it's short, the Heart Sutra dives into a big concept called emptiness. It teaches that everything in the world doesn't exist the way we usually think. It's not saying things are empty like an empty cup, but that they don't have a fixed, unchanging nature.

The Heart Sutra is considered a direct and powerful teaching, cutting through conceptual complexities to point to the ultimate reality. The sutra emphasizes that the things we usually see and feel are not as solid as they seem. It encourages us to look beyond appearances and see the connectedness of everything. Even though it might sound a bit complex, the Heart Sutra is like a key that opens the door to a deeper understanding of life.

People often recite and chant the Heart Sutra because its teachings are like a condensed form of wisdom. Despite its brevity, it continues to inspire Buddhists around the world, guiding them toward a more profound realization of reality and promoting a compassionate way of living.

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Link to read: https://thebuddhistcentre.com/system/files/groups/files/heart_sutra.pdf

At the seventh place in the list of the most sacred texts of Buddhism, we have the Lankavatara Sutra, which is a significant text in Mahayana Buddhism, particularly within the Zen tradition. In the Lankavatara Sutra, the Buddha has a conversation with one of his students, Mahāmati, on this imaginary island called Laṅkā. They talk about deep things like the mind, consciousness, and what's really real in the world.

One of the central themes of the Lankavatara Sutra is the idea of "mind-only" (cittamatra), which asserts that everything we experience is a product of our mind. The sutra challenges conventional notions of an external, independently existing world and encourages practitioners to understand the true nature of their perceptions.

Another important concept is "tathagatagarbha," which is like the potential for becoming a Buddha that exists in everyone. The sutra suggests that we all have this special quality within us, waiting to be discovered through spiritual practice and understanding.

Even though the Lankavatara Sutra might not be as famous as some other Buddhist texts, it has had a big impact on Zen Buddhism and the broader Mahayana tradition. This sacred text delves into various stages of spiritual realization and emphasizes direct experience over intellectual understanding. Throughout the sutra, the Buddha gives advice on realizing our true selves, changing from within, and gaining wisdom. It aims to inspire practitioners to go beyond attachment to concepts and words, pointing to a direct and immediate realization of enlightenment.

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Link to read: https://terebess.hu/english/lankavatara-sutra.pdf

The Majjhima Nikāya, often translated as the "Middle-Length Discourses," is a key collection of discourses in the Pali Canon, the sacred scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. It's called "middle-length" because the teachings in this book are not too short or too long compared to other Buddhist texts. The Majjhima Nikāya is composed of 152 discourses attributed to the Buddha and is divided into three volumes. These discourses cover a wide range of topics, providing detailed teachings on ethics, meditation, philosophy, and psychology.

At its core, the Majjhima Nikāya talks about how to live a good and balanced life, which is known as the "middle way." The middle way is about avoiding extremes and finding a balanced path between too much and too little. This theme is particularly addressed in discourses like "Majjhima Paṇhāsā" (Middle Fifty), which explore the middle path in various aspects of practice.

In these discourses, the Buddha explains things like the five aggregates, which are different parts of our experiences, and the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist teachings. The Buddha shares practical advice on how to live ethically, meditate, and understand the nature of our minds. One interesting thing about the Majjhima Nikāya is that it presents the Buddha's teachings in a conversational style. The Buddha often responds to questions from his followers, addressing their concerns and providing guidance.

The Majjhima Nikāya is undoubtedly a foundational text for understanding the core principles of early Buddhist thought. People who follow Theravada Buddhism really value the Majjhima Nikāya because it gives them practical guidance for daily life. It's a source of wisdom that helps people on their journey to live a good and meaningful life.

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Link to read: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/index.html

The Platform Sutra, also known as the "Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch," is an important book in Buddhism, especially in the Zen tradition. It tells the story of Huineng, who became the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism. Huineng was an ordinary person, not educated or wealthy, but he became enlightened when he heard a special verse from the Fifth Patriarch, Hongren.

The story goes like this: The Fifth Patriarch recognized Huineng's deep understanding of Buddhism, even though Huineng couldn't read or write. Instead of having a public competition, the traditional way to choose a new leader, the Fifth Patriarch secretly passed on his teachings to Huineng.

The main idea in the Platform Sutra is about getting enlightened right away instead of slowly over time. Huineng teaches that everyone, no matter their background, has the potential to become enlightened. He believes it can happen suddenly without needing lots of rituals or long processes. He thought that understanding our own minds and seeing their true nature was the key to freedom.

The Platform Sutra is written like a series of talks that Huineng gave to his followers. He covers different topics, like the nature of the mind, the illusion of distinctions, and the importance of wisdom and compassion on the path to enlightenment. Huineng also instructs practitioners on how to quiet the mind and directly experience reality, emphasizing the here-and-now over theoretical or intellectual understanding.

This text is significant in Zen Buddhism, especially in East Asia. It continues to inspire people on the Zen path. It teaches them about the essence of Zen teachings and how to directly realize their true nature. The Platform Sutra remains a valuable guide for those seeking a deeper understanding of Chan Buddhism and the way to enlightenment.

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Link to read: https://terebess.hu/zen/platform-sutra.pdf

The Milindapanha, also known as "The Questions of King Milinda," is a Buddhist text that takes the form of a dialogue between King Milinda (Menander I), an Indo-Greek king, and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. In this text, King Milinda asks Nagasena many questions about Buddhist ideas and the nature of existence.

The discussion covers a lot of themes, including ethics, metaphysics, and understanding the self. One interesting part is when Nagasena uses a chariot as an example to explain that, like a chariot being made up of different parts, the self is a combination of body and mind without a permanent, unchanging essence.

The Milindapanha explores complex philosophical concepts such as the nature of consciousness, the relationship between mind and matter, and the idea of causation. Nagasena's responses aim to guide King Milinda toward a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings. The text isn't just about philosophy; it also talks about how to live a good life. Nagasena emphasizes the importance of being ethical, having control over the mind, and gaining wisdom on the journey to liberation (freedom from suffering).

While the Milindapanha is rooted in ancient Indian culture, its teachings have meaning beyond that time and place. It addresses fundamental questions about human existence and the nature of reality, making it relevant to people who want to understand Buddhist ideas and principles.

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Link to read: https://sacred-texts.com/bud/milinda.htm