SUTTA

Sutta is a Pāḷi word meaning 'thread' and is the name given to the Buddha's discourses. The Sanskrit equivalent is sūtra. The discourses are called this because they all contain a 'thread of meaning' that in some way is relevant to and leads towards enlightenment. There are about 5,700 discourses by the Buddha, as well as approximately 10,000 independent verses and numerous other sayings and pronouncements, making the corpus of his teachings by far the largest of any of the great religious teachers. Discourses are usually of three types - a collection of verses, a talk by the Buddha or a dialogue or debate between the Buddha and another person or persons. Discourses are usually made up of three parts: (1) the introduction giving the place and circumstances in which the Buddha delivered the discourse, (2) the talk or dialogue itself and (3) the finale where the interlocutor either thanked the Buddha or asked to become his disciple. A small number of discourses in the Tipiṭaka were delivered by the Buddha's disciples.