This photo above was a screenshot I took from the Japanese film “Kūkai 空海” by Toei Video Co. Ltd. The scene shows a Buddhist sutra as they were recorded in the olden days, using palm leaves, or small sheets of wood (as shown here). The writing is Sanskrit, but using Siddham writing, not the modern Devanagari script.
The links below contain various and sundry Buddhist texts that I’ve collected, or typed up:
Sutras:
- The Amitabha Sutra another copy here.
- The Brahma Net Sutra
- The Contemplation Sutra
- The Diamond Sutra
- The Earth-Store Bodhisattva Sutra
- The Golden Light Sutra
- The Heart Sutra
- The Immeasurable Life Sutra
- The Lankavatara Sutra
- The Lotus Sutra, complete
- The Medicine Buddha Sutra
- The Pali Canon: Partial Index
- The Perfect Enlightenment Sutra
- The Pratyutpanna Sutra
- The Samdhinirmocana Sutra
- The Sutra of Innumerable Meanings
- The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
Liturgy for Chanting:
- The Amitabha Sutra
- The Kannon Sutra (e.g. Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra)
- The 10 Verse Kannon Sutra
- The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (the Heart Sutra)
- The Juseige / Shiseige
- The Four Bodhisattva Vows
- The Amitabha Root Dharani
- The Thirteen Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Poetry or Letters
- Unbeaten by Rain
- Moonlight by Honen
Commentaries
Hello, this blog is about my life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile / Koreaphile. Any useful information I can pass along will hopefully make the 
What a great resource! I’m considering converting to Jodo Shinshu from atheism lol and it’s nice to have all the sutras and liturgical material right here. Thanks!
Namu Amida Bu!
Hi Michael H. and welcome to the JLR! I’ve been through an “atheism” phase myself a long time ago, and while I appreciate it’s focus on reason and logic, it’s definitely missing something. I think atheism spends too much time criticizing others for their beliefs, and not cultivating enough self-reflection and compassion toward others. I’d never go back to any Western religion myself, but I find Buddhism fills in the gap left by a strictly materialistic view of the world.
In any case, the thing with Buddhism is that you’re welcome to explore it all you like, and no one’s going to bite your head off if you decide it’s not for you. People ask from time to time if Buddhism is a religion or philosophy or way of life, but I wrote something on the subject a while back here:
Is Buddhism just a philosophy?
Hope it helps. Take care!
Hey Doug,
I’m also interested in becoming a Buddhist as the guy above is however I’m not sure which Buddhist sect I want to go into. Do you know of any good books that look at all of the types of Buddhism and compare them? I’m also an atheist and am not completely sure if I want to believe in the religion or just practice their way of life but either way I’d like to see all of my options.
Thank you very much,
Ashley K
PS- I’m going to read that article you referred above too!
Hi Ashley K and welcome to the JLR. As far as Buddhist sects go, I think your best bet isn’t to read/analyze the various sects, but instead to go to various temples in your area and just “go shopping” so to speak.
See how they work, and get a feel for the vibe. Buddhism is very much about practice, not so much intellectual arguments, and it’s good to see which kind of Buddhism fits your inclinations. That’s what I’d say to go with. Sometimes it’s not the one sect you’d expect either, as I learned.
Good luck and keep me updated on your adventures.
Sincerely,
Doug
Thank you! I will.
Thank you for the great site! Do you have any documents for Rishukyo – The Way of Great Enjoyment – in Hiragana or Romaji?
Hello Kristiina, I am not familiar with Risshukyo, but as such I probably don’t know of any texts related to it too. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi
Great to see some atheist “converting” or rather attempting the Way to Buddahood. Very brave move, indeed! Somebody once remarked: (and i paraphrase) “if you have not started with Buddhism; don’t start. If you have started with Buddhism; don’t stop.” What they meant I do not know, but when i encountered the quote i was already to deep into Buddhism.
In my tradition (Chinese Pure Land) we regularly chant the Amitabha Sutra, but more importantly is the [i]nien fo[/i] ([i]nembutsu[/i]) for daily use.
Looking forward to read about your guys practice.
Doug great work; the sutras assembled here.
Namo Amitofo
Hanzono.