Sutra's

[Greg_the_poet]

I practice Soto. I'm aware that Zen DE-emphasizes sutra's in favor of Zazen, but could anyone give me any sutra's that may help guide me along the path? I'm finding it really difficult only doing Zazen. I'm aware of the Heart sutra obviously, but what others would you recommend?

[Noah]

I love the Sutras and any you choose will give you enough "food for thought" if you are trying to give your practice some more "content."
A few I believe you may like (because they rock) are:
Lankavatara Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Platform Sutra and most def- the White Lotus Sutra!! The Pali texts are great if you want a more "authentic" teaching from the Buddha's own mouth with less of the flair, I suggest the Dhammapada. The Mahayana Sutras are an experience with higher consciousness that cannot be prepared for, good luck!

[kirtu]

I practice Soto. I'm aware that Zen DE-emphasizes sutra's in favor of Zazen, but could anyone give me any sutra's that may help guide me along the path? I'm finding it really difficult only doing Zazen. I'm aware of the Heart sutra obviously, but what others would you recommend?

Why are you finding it difficult to practice zazen?

Actually different teachers have different views on reading sutras although even teachers who recommend it for some people deemphasize it relatively speaking.

The Heart Sutra and it's study are core medicine. Please try reading different versions and commentaries (Lopez is a good start).

Different sutras appeal to different people. Have you read the Lotus Stura, the Lamkaavatara Sutra, or the Avatamsaka Sutra? There are of course numerous other sutras some of which have just recently been translated. Conze's translations of the Prajnaparamita Sutra is in most libraries. Also the Pali Suttas are very helpful as well as the Dharmapada

Also readig the biographies of great masters is very helpful.

Kirt

[Will]

I practice Soto. I'm aware that Zen DE-emphasizes sutra's in favor of Zazen, but could anyone give me any sutra's that may help guide me along the path? I'm finding it really difficult only doing Zazen. I'm aware of the Heart sutra obviously, but what others would you recommend?

This new translation of the Lankavatara Sutra, the fount of Ch'an, is now out:

http://zennist.typepad.com/zenfiles/201 ... sutra.html

Also, as far as books go, this gem of teachings from Bodhisattva Hsuan Hua, is hard to beat:

http://www.cttbusa.org/chan/chan.asp

Also the Sixth Patriarch's Sutra with Master Hua's comments is excellent:

http://www.bttsonline.org/product.aspx?pid=125

[Astus]

There are many kinds of sutras and different Zen traditions take different sutras as their source. Here is a non-definitive list of those that are available in English.

The common sutras among the different lineages: Vimalakirti Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Lotus Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra, Nirvana Sutra
Sutras that are important mostly in China and Korea: Perfect Enlightenment Sutra, Shurangama Sutra, Vajrasamadhi Sutra
Treatises of great importance: Mahayana Sraddhotpada Shastra, Mahaprajnaparamita Shastra (partially translated)

[seeker242]

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch Hui-neng is quite good. Ironically, Hui-neng was the teacher who locked the libraries and shredded sutras because people were to attached to them.