# sutra

/sˈʌtɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sutra
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The monk read a sutra to the gathered crowd.
- Many modern meditation apps use short passages from ancient sutras to guide users through their daily practice.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.