Suttavda

Suttavda is a term used within certain Buddhist traditions, particularly in Theravada Buddhism, to refer to discourses or sermons attributed to the Buddha. These discourses form a significant part of the Pali Canon, the scriptural collection of Theravada Buddhism. The term "Sutta" (Pali) or "Sutra" (Sanskrit) broadly means "thread" or "discourse." Suttavda encompasses a vast collection of teachings covering a wide range of topics, including ethics, meditation, philosophy, and the path to enlightenment.

The Suttavda are organized into various collections, most notably the five Nikayas within the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon: the Digha Nikaya (Long Discourses), Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-Length Discourses), Samyutta Nikaya (Connected Discourses), Anguttara Nikaya (Numerical Discourses), and Khuddaka Nikaya (Minor Collection). Each Nikaya contains numerous individual suttas, often prefaced by the context in which the Buddha delivered them and detailing the audience or the specific question being addressed. These discourses are considered authoritative by Theravada Buddhists and are studied for their insights into the nature of reality, the causes of suffering, and the methods for its cessation.