Sutra

In Buddhism, sutras are the scriptures of the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha that were memorized by his disciples and latter recorded in written form in Pali (called suttas) and Sanskrit which are the basic cannons of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. The most significant Theravada suttas are in Tipitaka cannon (“Triple Basket”) with the discourses of the historical Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism the most famous sutras with important concepts are the Lotus Sutra, Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, Heart Sutra and the Land of Bliss” Sutra. Revered for its beauty, the Lotus Sutra, is in verse and describes how the Buddha became the divine Buddha who attained Enlightenment and taught the Dharma. Chapter 25 – which became its own chapter – focuses on Guanyin “the one who perceives the cries of the world” who protects the world in the time Buddha Shakyamuni’s departure and the appearance of the future Buddha, Maitreya. It describes her 33 manifestations and how she teaches the Dharma to relieve suffering and her miraculous deeds such as granting children to infertile women. As described in the Pure Land Sutras, if upon death a person calls the name of Amitabha with unswerving faith and concentration, Guanyin as the “Bodhisattva Guide of the Souls” will lead him or her to the Western Paradise. She also appears in the Heart Sutras discussing her acolytes Sudhana (Shancai) and Longnü. Lalitavistara Sutra states the significance of the Lotus in Buddhism: “…the spirit of man can be spotless, like the new lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.”