sutra

Everyday

1. (religion) A sutra is a holy teaching or text in Buddhism or Hinduism, often a sermon of the Buddha or short wise sayings. tree →
2. In Hindu learning a sutra can also be a short rule or saying that is easy to remember. tree →

In the lessons

Used in religious education lessons about Buddhism and Hinduism: monks chant sutras; famous ones are the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra; it tells the reader about sacred writings.

Examples

• The monks chanted a sutra in the temple. tree →
• Buddhists believe the sutras record the Buddha's teachings. tree →
• The Heart Sutra is very short. tree →
• We learned that «sutra» comes from a Sanskrit word meaning thread. tree →
• Each sutra was copied by hand onto palm leaves. tree →

Note

Comes from Sanskrit (an old language of India), meaning «thread». Countable: sutras. Say it «SOO-truh». Speak of beliefs respectfully: «Buddhists believe…».