scripture

Writings regarded as sacred

(See also: Scripture, Body Mind and Soul)

scripture (scriptural): "A writing."

A sacred text or holy book having authority for a given sect or religion.

See: shastra, smriti, shruti.

(See also: Scripture, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Scriptures: The religious writings of any people that they regard as sacred and authoritative.

(See also: Scriptures, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

The Vedas 

The Vedas are the Divine scriptures of ancient India and in modern times can be traced as least as far back as 12,OOO B.C. a lthough it is generally accepted tat the Vedas appear at different times of the cosmic creation forte benefit of human society. They are considered to be the revelations of the Divine nature, and its relationship within and without us. "Mantra" is the term used to mean Divine sound vibration or the word of God. There are teachings of mantras (hymns), teachings of ritual, theology, and philosophy at the root of all the vedic sciences. The point of all is the knowledge of the soul called "atma vidya", being our real "self" and separate and distinct from the material body , and the material world which surrounds us.

Read more here: » The Vedas: Divine scriptures of ancient India - The Vedas

Sanskrit literature can be classified under six orthodox heads and four secular heads. The six orthodox sections form the authoritative scriptures of the Hindus. The four secular sections embody the later developments in classical Sanskrit literature.

The six scriptures are: Srutis, Smritis, Itihasas, Puranas, Agamas and Darsanas.

The four secular writings are: Subhashitas, Kavyas, Natakas and Alankaras.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Scriptures: A full overview of the Hindu and Vedic Scriptures

Holy Scripture (or Sacred Scripture, meaning the Holy Writings) is a term of reverence used by Christians when referring to the Bible. The most standard understanding of these writings is that they were composed under the revelation of God though the Holy Spirit. The older branches of Christianity accept the idea that metaphor and poetry are an integral part of their composition; certain traditions, however, especially in Protestantism, consider these writings to be factually accurate, and thus inerrant (see Fundament ...

Read more here: » Holy Scripture: Encyclopedia - Holy Scripture

Buddhism: Buddhist Scriptures

The Buddhist canon of scripture is known in Sanskrit as the Tripitaka and in Pali as the Tipitaka. These terms literally mean "three baskets" and refers to the three main divisions of the canon, which are:

1.    The Vinaya Piaaka, containing disciplinary rules for the Sangha of Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as a range of other texts which explain why and how rules were instituted, supporting material, and doctrinal clarification.

2.    The Sutta Pitaka (Pali; Sanskrit: Sutra Pitaka), containing discourses of the Buddha.

3.    The Abhidhamma or commentary Pitaka, containing a philosophical systematization of the Buddha's teaching, including a detailed analysis of Buddhist psychology.

Read more here: » Buddhism: Buddhist Scriptures

Hindu Quotes: Let the Scriptures Be Your Guide

..let the scriptures be your guide in what to do and what not to do. Understand their teachings; then act in accordance with them.

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(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

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Taoism - Religious Taoism. The Daozang(道藏)(Treasury of Tao) is sometimes referred to as the "Taoist canon." It was compiled during the Jin, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties, and includes almost 1500 texts. Following the example of the Buddhist Tripitaka, it is divided into three dong 洞 ("caves," often translated "grottoes"), arranged here from highest to lowest: (1) The Zhen ("real") grotto. Includes the Shangching texts. (2) The Yuan ("primordial") grotto. Includes the Lingbao scriptures. (3) The Shen ("divine") grotto. Includes texts pred ...

See also:

Taoism, Taoism - History, Taoism - Warring States Period 403-222 BCE, Taoism - Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE, Taoism - Three Kingdoms Period 220-265, Taoism - Six Dynasties 316-589, Taoism - Tang Dynasty 618-907, Taoism - Song Dynasty 960-1279, Taoism - Yuan Dynasty 1279-1367, Taoism - Nationalist Period 1912-1949, Taoism - People's Republic of China 1949-present, Taoism - Adherents, Taoism - Beliefs, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Deities, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Practices, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Scriptures, Taoism - Religious Taoism, Taoism - Philosophical Taoism, Taoism - Symbols, Taoism - Relations With Other Religions and Philosophies

Read more here: » Taoism: Encyclopedia II - Taoism - Scriptures

The Tay Ninh Holy See recognizes three main scriptures: 1. Thánh Ngôn Hiệp Tuyển 2. Pháp Chánh Truyền (The Religious Constitution of Caodaiism) 3. Kinh Thiên Đạo Và Thế Đạo Note: Scriptures from other sects will be listed later ...

See also:

Cao Dai, Cao Dai - Origin of God and the Universe, Cao Dai - Scriptures, Cao Dai - Symbolisms, Cao Dai - Religious Constitution and Organization, Cao Dai - Schism

Read more here: » Cao Dai: Encyclopedia II - Cao Dai - Scriptures

The Buddhist canon of scripture is known in Sanskrit as the Tripitaka and in Pāli as the Tipitaka. These terms literally mean "three baskets" and refers to the three main divisions of the canon, which are: The Vinaya Pitaka, containing disciplinary rules for the Sangha of Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as a range of other texts which explain why and how rules were instituted, supporting material, and doctrinal clarification. The Sutta Pitaka (Pāli; Sanskrit: Sutra Pitaka), containing disc ...

See also:

Buddhism, Buddhism - Headline text, Buddhism - What is a Buddha?, Buddhism - Origins, Buddhism - Principles of Buddhism, Buddhism - The Three Marks of Existence, Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Buddhism - The Noble Eightfold Path, Buddhism - Practices of Buddhism, Buddhism - Refuge in The Three Jewels, Buddhism - The Five Precepts, Buddhism - Meditation, Buddhism - Buddha-dhatu Buddha-Principle Buddha-nature, Buddhism - Other principles and practices, Buddhism - Vegetarianism, Buddhism - Buddhist religious philosophy and branches, Buddhism - Buddhism after the Buddha, Buddhism - Principal schools of Buddhist philosophy, Buddhism - Scriptures, Buddhism - Relations with other Eastern faiths, Buddhism - Buddhism in the modern world, Buddhism - Buddhism and the West, Buddhism - Buddhism, Buddhism - Related systems and religions, Buddhism - References and Links, Buddhism - References, Buddhism - Footnotes, Buddhism - External links

Read more here: » Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism - Scriptures

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita ...

Including:

• Hindu scripture - The Vedas
• Hindu scripture - The Upanishads
• Hindu scripture - Post-Vedic Hindu scriptures
• Hindu scripture - The Bhagavad Gita
• Hindu scripture - The Puranas
• Hindu scripture - Other Hindu texts

Read more here: » Hindu scripture: Encyclopedia - Hindu scripture

Study of the Puranas, listening to sacred recitals of scriptures, describing and expounding of the transcendent Lilas of the Blessed Lord�these form an important part of Sadhana of the Lords devotees. It is most pleasing to the Lord. Sravana is a part of Navavidha-Bhakti. Kathas and Upanyasas open the springs of devotion in the hearts of hearers and develop Prema-Bhakti which confers immortality on the Jiva.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Puranas: The Puranas in the Hindu Scriptures

The Smritis : Next in importance to the Sruti are the Smritis or secondary scriptures. These are the ancient sacred law-codes of the Hindus dealing with the Sanatana-Varnasrama-Dharma. They supplement and explain the ritualistic injunctions called Vidhis in the Vedas. The Smriti Sastra is founded on the Sruti. The Smritis are based on the teachings of the Vedas. The Smriti stands next in authority to the Sruti. It explains and develops Dharma. It lays down the laws which regulate Hindu national, social, family and individual obligations.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Smritis: The Smritis in the Hindu Scriptures

The Agamas : Another class of popular scriptures are the Agamas. The Agamas are theological treatises and practical manuals of divine worship. The Agamas include the Tantras, Mantras and Yantras. These are treatises explaining the external worship of God, in idols, temples, etc. All the Agamas treat of (i) Jnana or Knowledge, (ii) Yoga or Concentration, (iii) Kriya or Esoteric Ritual and (iv) Charya or Exoteric Worship.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Agamas: The Agamas in the Hindu Scriptures

The Tevaram and the Tiruvachakam which are the hymns of the Saiva saints of South India, the Divya-Prabandham of the Alvar saints of South India, the songs of Kabir, the Abhangas of Tukaram and the Ramayana of Tulasi Das - all of which are the outpourings of great realised souls - are wonderful scriptures. They contain the essence of the Vedas.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Literature: Other Scriptures in the Hindu Literature

The Sakta Agamas: There is another group of scriptures known as the Tantras. They belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the World-Mother. They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of the Divine Mother in various forms

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Sakta Agamas : The Sakta Agamas in the Hindu Scriptures

The Mantra-Samhitas : The Rig-Veda Samhita is the grandest book of the Hindus, the oldest and the best. It is the Great Indian Bible, which no Hindu would forget to adore from the core of his heart. Its style, the language and the tone are most beautiful and mysterious. Its immortal Mantras embody the greatest truths of existence, and it is perhaps the greatest treasure in all the scriptural literature of the world. Its priest is called the Hotri.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Mantra-Samhitas: The Mantra-Samhitas in the Hindu Scriptures

The Srutis are called the Vedas, or the Amnaya. The Hindus have received their religion through revelation, the Vedas. These are direct intuitional revelations and are held to be Apaurusheya or entirely superhuman, without any author in particular. The Veda is the glorious pride of the Hindus, nay, of the whole world!

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Srutis: The Srutis in the Hindu Scriptures

The rites that pertain to the stages of life of man are called Samskaras. The Samskaras are purificatory rites which sanctify the life of the Hindu. They give a spiritual touch to the important events in the life of the individual from conception to cremation. They mark the important stages of a mans life. Just as the outline of a picture is lighted up slowly with the filling in of many colours, so also is Brahmanya with scriptural Samskaras. There are the Samskaras of childhood, of boyhood, of manhood and of old age and death.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Rituals: The Ten Scriptural Samskaras