A Sutra is the recorded teachings of The Buddha
Sutras in and of themselves are of limitless profundity, their meaning and function transcending the words that create their structure.
Within this current age, Ananda (Meaning Bliss in Sanskrit) is the teacher. As a disciple of the Buddha, he recounts the teaching in narrative form beginning with the statement, “Thus have I heard.”
This is wonderful and fascinating.
The whole recorded Buddhist Teaching in the form of Sutras, with the exception of The Platform Sutra by the great Chinese Chan (Zen) Master Hui-neng, is actually the recorded words of Ananda.
Does this not make it imperative that instead of taking Ananda’s words for The Buddha’s Teaching, you make your own understanding harmonize with what is charted in The Sutras?
Master Laughing Cloud
Master Laughing Cloud (P.F. Martin) is a lay Dhyana Buddhist Master and author.