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sutra

n.
C2 Proficiency UK //sˈʌtɹɐ// su·tra

n. a short religious text that contains spiritual advice or teachings. It is often written in a poetic or symbolic way to help people understand deep ideas.

n. a short religious text, typically written in verse or prose, containing spiritual teachings or philosophical insights. Often used in the context of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.


SIMPLE

The monk read a sutra to the gathered crowd.

CONTEXTUAL

Many modern meditation apps use short passages from ancient sutras to guide users through their daily practice.

COMPLEX

The philosopher argued that the sutra's brevity is its greatest strength, as it forces the reader to engage deeply with the text to uncover its hidden meanings.

Origin

Borrowed from Sanskrit सूत्र (sū́tra, “thread, yarn, string; rule”). Doublet of sutta; more distantly related to sew and suture.

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