Heart Sutra
The Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra, also known as the Buddha Speaks the Mahā Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra, or the Mahā Prajñāpāramitā Hṛdaya Sūtra, and simply as the Prajñā Hṛdaya Sūtra or the Heart Sūtra, is a classic that expounds on the Mahayana Buddhist concepts of emptiness and Prajñā thought. This sūtra, consisting of just over two hundred extremely concise characters, is a condensation of the Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra, focusing on the core teachings of the ultimate reality of all phenomena as elucidated in the larger and smaller Prajñāpāramitā sūtras. It is thus a highly important sūtra in the Prajñāpāramitā series and is often considered to be mutually interpretive with the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (Diamond Sūtra), another sūtra in the Prajñāpāramitā category.
The Diamond Sutra
The Diamond Sutra (Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra), often simply called the "Diamond Sutra," is an important and revered treasure with profound philosophical insights that has been widely disseminated. It symbolizes an indestructible power of wisdom, capable of dispelling all suffering for sentient beings, and is a vital Dharma gate through which the Buddha reveals the inherent nature of all beings.
Sutra of the Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
The Ksitigarbha Sutra is also known as the "Sutra of the Past Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva," "Sutra of Ksitigarbha's Original Vows," "Sutra of Ksitigarbha's Original Conduct," and "Sutra of Ksitigarbha's Original Vows and Power." It was translated by the Tang Dynasty eminent monk Shikshananda and is included in Volume 13 of the Taisho Tripitaka. It is one of the Three Ksitigarbha Sutras, the other two being the "Sutra on Divination of Good and Evil Karma" and the "Mahayana Mahasamghata Ksitigarbha Dasachakra Sutra."
Avataṃsaka Sūtra
The Avatamsaka Sutra is one of the most important scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism. Its full name is "Dafangguangfo Huayan Jing," or it is also called "Zahua Jing." The Chinese Huayan宗 (Huayan School) takes this sutra as its foundation, establishing the profound principles of dependent origination of the dharma-realm and the unobstructed interpenetration of all phenomena as its core tenets. The two characters "Huayan" (Flower Adornment) are used as a metaphor for the Buddha. This is because the myriad practices in the causal stage are like flowers, and these flowers adorn the fruit-stage (enlightenment), hence it is called Huayan. Alternatively, the myriad virtues of the Buddha's fruit-stage are like flowers, and these flowers adorn the Dharma-body, hence it is called Huayan. The Avatamsaka Sutra is one of the most important scriptures for Mahayana Buddhist study and practice.
This Simplified Chinese corrected electronic edition of the "Avatamsaka Sutra" is based on the photographic reproduction of the "Avatamsaka Sutra" (80 scrolls), translated by the Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Śikṣānanda from Khotan during the Tang Dynasty, which is Volume 0084 of the Mahayana Avatamsaka Section of the "Qianlong Tripitaka."
Thanks to Renhui Caotang
Shurangama Sutra
The Shurangama Sutra is also known as the Shurangama Sutra, the Great Buddha's Crown Sutra, the Great Buddha's Crown Shurangama Sutra, and the Great Nalanda Monastery Sutra of Central India. Its full title is The Sutra of the Foremost Dharma of the Great Buddha's Crown, the Secret Cause of the Tathagata, the Realization of Perfect Understanding, and the Myriad Practices of All Bodhisattvas. It is a famous Buddhist scripture.
The Shorter Sukhavativyuha Sutra
The Amitabha Sutra is also known as the Smaller Sukhavativyuha Sutra, or simply the "Smaller Sutra." Together with the Longer Sukhavativyuha Sutra and the Contemplation Sutra, they are collectively known as the Three Pure Land Sutras. It is generally believed to have been popular in the Gandhara region during the Kushan Empire in India, between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.
Saddharma Pundarika Sutra
The Lotus Sutra, fully titled the "Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma," comprises the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha in his later years. It expounds on supreme principles, revealing that everyone, regardless of wealth, status, or poverty, can attain Buddhahood. The Lotus Sutra is considered the king of Mahayana scriptures, providing a foundation for harmonious coexistence among Buddhist believers.
Mahakarunika Dharani Sutra
This mantra is the subtle heart-seal of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. If one writes the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, it is equivalent to writing the Tripitaka. If one recites the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, it is equivalent to chanting the seven scrolls of sacred texts. It can also open the gates of wisdom, rescue from a hundred kinds of suffering, purify all karmic grievances from the three lifetimes, eliminate all karmic obstacles, liberate from the cycle of birth and death, and lead to the blissful Dharma-body. However, there are also secret keys to reciting the mantra. Therefore, the first sound, "Om," calls upon the Vairocana Buddha within us. The second sound, "Ma," calls upon the Akshobhya Buddha within us. The third sound, "Ni," calls upon the Ratnasambhava Buddha within us. The fourth sound, "Pad," calls upon the Amitabha Buddha within us. The fifth sound, "Me," calls upon the Amoghasiddhi Buddha within us. The sixth sound, returning to the throat and making the sound "Hum," calls upon the Mahasthamaprapta Vajra within us. Over time, the five qi will return to their origin, thus achieving inconceivable merits and attaining perfect penetration.
Universal Gate Chapter of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva
The "Universal Gate Chapter of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva" was originally a chapter within the "Lotus Sutra." Due to the increasing prevalence of Avalokiteshvara worship in China, this scripture was extracted from the Chinese translation and became a standalone chapter for easier recitation and practice.
The Samantabhadra's Aspirations to Practice
The "Chapter on the Vows and Practices of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva" is a Buddhist scripture translated by Prajñā, a Tripitaka master from Kapiśā during the Tang Dynasty. It is included in the "Avataṃsaka Sūtra, Chapter on the Inconceivable Realm of Liberation, Vows and Practices of Samantabhadra" (Taishō Tripiṭaka No. 278), and is the last scroll of the forty-scroll version of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. In this scripture, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva expounds ten great vows to Sudhana, including honoring all Buddhas, praising the Tathāgatas, making extensive offerings, repenting of karmic obstructions, rejoicing in merits, requesting the turning of the Dharma wheel, requesting Buddhas to remain in the world, constantly following the Buddha's teachings, always accommodating sentient beings, and dedicating all merits. These vows cover the core principles of Buddhist practice, emphasizing Dharma offerings as the highest form, and advocating for the realization of Bodhi through Samantabhadra's vows and the constant accommodation of sentient beings.
The Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, also known as the Platform Sutra or the Dharma Treasure Platform Sutra of the Great Master, the Sixth Patriarch, and fully titled The Platform Sutra of the Dharma preached by the Sixth Patriarch Huineng at Dafan Temple in Shaozhou from the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra of the Southern School's Sudden Enlightenment, is a classic Buddhist text delivered by Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, and compiled by his disciple, Fahai.
The Sutra of Eight Realizations by Great Beings
The Sutra of Eight Great Realizations by Enlightened Beings explains eight Dharma principles that buddhas and bodhisattvas should realize and contemplate. Disciples of the Buddha must observe and understand these eight great realizations to practice self-enlightenment and the enlightenment of others.
The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters Spoken by the Buddha
The "Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters," also known as "The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters Spoken by the Buddha," is a Buddhist text. It is said to have been translated into Chinese by Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna during the Eastern Han Dynasty and is generally considered to be the first Buddhist classic translated into ancient China. Its content is compiled from forty-two selected passages, each referred to as a "chapter." It is included in Volume 17 of the Taisho Tripitaka. The profound meaning of the "Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters" lies in four aspects: first, its language is most concise and tractable; second, its meaning is most profound and rich; third, its narrators are ancient and authentic; and fourth, its transmission is most straightforward. By observing the Buddha through these four aspects, the Buddha's entire essence and great function become clear.
Buddha Speaks the Ullambana Sutra
The Ullambana Sutra, also known as the Yulan Sutra, is part of the Vaipulya (Fangdeng) section of the Buddhist canon, found in volume 16 of the Taisho Tripitaka. It records how Maudgalyayana, one of the Buddha's chief disciples, unable to bear the suffering of his mother who had fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts and was hanging upside down, sought the Dharma from the Buddha. The Buddha instructed him to offer a feast of various delicacies, five kinds of fruit, and other offerings to the Buddhas and Sangha of the ten directions on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the day of Sangha's self-invitation, to free his mother from suffering. The Ullambana festival, based on the teachings of this sutra, has become widely popular among the people of China and has fostered filial piety.
Vimalakirti Sutra
The Vimalakirti Sutra is one of the early classics of Mahayana Buddhism, named after its protagonist, the lay practitioner Vimalakirti.
Saṅghaṭā Sūtra
The "Saṅghaṭa Sūtra" is an important Mahayana Buddhist scripture. Its Sanskrit name means "assemblage" or "gathering." It emphasizes that hearing, writing, and reciting this sutra can eradicate the karma of the five heinous crimes and bring immeasurable blessings. Narrated by Sakyamuni Buddha, the sutra emphasizes abandoning evil and cultivating good, as well as altruistic practice. Its core message is that those who uphold the sutra will not fall into evil realms and will be guided by all Buddhas. It consists of four volumes.
Sutra on the Merits Attained by Upholding the Names of the Seven Buddhas
The "Sutra on the Merits of Reciting the Names of the Seven Buddhas," fully titled "Sutra on the Merits Arising from Upholding and Reciting the Names of the Seven Buddhas," is a Mahayana Buddhist scripture translated by Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty, and included in the fourteenth volume of the Taisho Tripitaka [3]. It records the Buddha's discourse to Sariputra in the Jetavana, Anathapindika's Garden, on the merits of reciting and making offerings to the Seven Buddhas' names, emphasizing the benefits of accumulating blessings and wisdom, eliminating evil karma, and transcending samsara through hearing and upholding the Buddha's names.