sutra

noun

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su·tra | \ ˈsü-trə

Definition of sutra

1 : a precept summarizing Vedic teaching also : a collection of these precepts

2 : one of the discourses of the Buddha that constitute the basic text of Buddhist scripture

Examples of sutra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the end, this ragtag band finally acquires the sutra scrolls from a surprisingly worldly-wise Buddha and achieves a kind of sainthood for themselves. — Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2021 The Daizo sutra is a compilation of Buddhist writings consisting of 5,048 scrolls. — Ryozui Ryosen, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021 These ties of the five thousand scrolls will unravel in my empty belly; out the Daizo sutra’s words will flow, and settle there inside me. — Ryozui Ryosen, Harpers Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021 In Asia, Buddhist monks have been chanting sutras to provide spiritual relief. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2020 Then there was Mencius, Mahavira, Laozi and the Buddha — as he is portrayed in both the Pali Canon and the innovative Mahayana sutras, which may be the world’s first fan fiction. — Randy Rosenthal, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2019 Yoon’s work unfolds as a brilliant embodiment of the sutra’s meditation on emptiness. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 29 June 2019 The temple generated headlines in recent years for allowing monks to study sutras on iPads and building a robot in the shape of a pint-sized monk able to answer questions about Buddhism. — Fox News, 3 Aug. 2018 Soon after the movie opens, he is entrusted to copy a Buddhist sutra (a dialogue or sermon) that can liberate souls stuck in limbo. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sutra.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.