Buddha Purnima or Vesak: Importance of reciting and contemplating on Buddhist Sutras

On the Buddh Purnima day, the devouts spend the day in reciting Buddhist sutras, which are deemed to be the core scriptures of the faith since they contain the teachings of the Buddha and his disciples. Some important Buddhist Sutras are: Lotus Flower Sutra; Flower Adornment Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Mahaparinirvana Sutra, Shunyata Sutra, etc., that explain the way of becoming enlightened and be liberated from murky and mundane worldly attachments.

The Sutras being the part of canonical scriptures of the Buddhism Faith, they are often 'recited, studied, and commented (contemplated) upon by Buddhist scholars and practitioners' to imbibe the teaching of the Buddha, more so on the day of Vesak or Buddha Purnima.

Thus, Sutras are essential part of Buddhist practice and are used for recitation, study, elaboration, interpretation and contemplation to imbibe core teachings of the Buddha. In Buddhism, sutras, also known as suttas, are canonical scriptures, many of which are regarded as records of the oral teachings of Gautama Buddha and his principal disciples.

In fact, the contemplation on the Buddhist Sutras must lead to revelation of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism such as as the 'nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to liberation.'

The Heart Sutra or Shunyata Satta Haiku

Be nothing-n-empty

Shed worldly conditioning

Be a naught - humble!