Pāli Canon (Theravada)
The earliest complete canon to survive, preserved in the Pāli language and organized into Three Baskets (Tipiṭaka):
Sutta Piṭaka
The discourses — records of the Buddha's teachings to monks, nuns, and laypeople.
Vinaya Piṭaka
The code of monastic discipline governing the life of the ordained community.
Abhidhamma Piṭaka
Systematic philosophical analysis of mind and matter.
Mahayana Sutras
| Text | Teaching & Role |
|---|---|
| Perfection of Wisdom Sutras | The foundational literature on emptiness, spanning versions from very short to extremely long |
| Heart Sutra | A concise summation of emptiness, chanted widely across Mahayana traditions |
| Diamond Sutra | A dialogue cutting through conceptual attachment, even to the Dharma itself |
| Lotus Sutra | Teaches the one vehicle underlying all Buddhist paths; central to Tiantai and Nichiren traditions |
| Vimalakīrti Sutra | A lay bodhisattva's teaching on non-duality and skillful means |
| Pure Land Sutras | Describe Amitābha Buddha's Pure Land and the path of devotional rebirth there |
| Laṅkāvatāra Sutra | A key source for Yogācāra Mind-Only philosophy |
Tibetan & Vajrayana Texts
The Tibetan canon divides into the Kangyur (the Buddha's own translated word) and the Tengyur (translated commentarial treatises), alongside a large body of tantras.
Nāgārjuna
Founder of Madhyamaka philosophy.
Śāntideva
Author of the Bodhisattva's path in verse.
Atiśa
Brought graduated path teachings to Tibet.
Milarepa & Tsongkhapa
Great yogin-poet and founder of the Gelug school.
Guidance on Study
"Do not believe because it is written. Read, reflect, meditate, test, and accept only what leads to peace and liberation."