A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s1.28

v2.c19.s1.28

2. Suttapiṭaka, “basket of the Suttas.” The Pāli word sutta corresponds to the Sanskrit sūtra, but with the Buddhists it has lost the old meaning of “short rule,”¹ and here means “discourse,” “sermon.” Every long or short explanation, frequently in the form of a dialogue, on one or more points of religion (dhamma) is called a sutta and often also suttanta (Sanskrit sūtrānta). The Suttapiṭaka consists of five nikāyas, *i. e.*, great collections of these suttas or suttantas.