A Wisdom Archive on Scriptures

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 ...

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

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

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Scriptures by themselves cannot make a person enlightened. They give knowledge, not wisdom. But the Ashtavakra Gita is different. This scripture negates every facet of life, except supreme consciousness.
 
Sage Ashtavakra says to Janaka: "My son, you recite or listen to countless scriptures, but you will not be established within until you can forget everything"(16.1). He stresses the import of knowing one's own self. A person may quote extensively from the Bhagavad Gita or the Upanishads. But only through self-knowledge can he even begin to discover the stainless truth.

 
(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul )

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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

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.
 

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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.
 
- Bhagavad Gita 16:24

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

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Study of the Puranas, listening to sacred recitals of scriptures, describing and expounding of the transcendent Lilas of the Blessed Lordthese 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