Seven Title Classification

Seven Title Classification

Sutra titles fall into seven classes accordingly to their reference to person, Dharma and analogy.

A Three Single

1 Solely by reference to people, e.g. the Amitabha Sutra

2 Solely by reference to Dharma, e.g. the Mahaparinirvana Sutra

3 Solely by analogy, e.g. The Brahma Net Sutra

B Three Paired

4 By reference to a person and a Dharma, e.g. The Sutra of the Questions of Manjushri

5 By reference to a person and an analogy, e.g. The Sutra of the Lion's Roar of the Thus Come One

6 By reference to a Dharma and an analogy, e.g. The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra.

C Three-in-one

7 By reference to person, Dharma and analogy together, e.g. The Great Universal Buddha Flower Adornment Sutra