list of sutras

Below is a list of sutras organized alphabetically under the broad categories of Hinduism and Buddhism. Note that there is considerable difficulty in fixing the period of the various sutras.

Sutras primarily associated with Hinduism

Vedic sutras (800-300 BC)

Kalpa Sutras, covering rituals

Srauta Sutras, performance of sacrifices
Sulba Sutras, architecture of sacrificial area

Smarta Sutras, covering domestic life

Grhya Sutras
Samayacarika or Dharma Sutras

Ashtadhyayi (Panini), discussing grammar

Sutras of Hindu Philosophy

Brahma Sutras (or Vedanta Sutra) (Badarayana)
Yoga Sutras; (Patanjali); Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Nyaya Sutra, on logic
Vaisesika Sutra

Sutras primarily associated with Buddhism

Pali Suttras

Anapanasati Sutta, a discourse on the method of being mindful of the breath
Brahmajala Sutta, a critique of 64 'wrong views' current at the time of the Buddha
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the Buddha's first discourse on the nature of his enlightenment
Dhammapada, a collection of sayings and aphorisms thought to be amongst the oldest texts
Goshinga Sutta
Kalama Sutta
Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the last days of the Buddha, Theravada version
Metta Sutta, a rhapsody on the quality of universal loving-kindness
Satipathana Sutta
Upanisa Sutta, on the two types of conditionality

Mahayana Sutras

Amitabha Sutra, or Smaller Pure Land Sutra
Avatamsaka Sutra or Flower Garland Sutra (Chinese: Huayan Jing)
Contemplation Sutra, important in Pure Land Buddhism
Diamond Sutra
Heart Sutra, important in Zen Buddhism
Infinite Life Sutra, or Large Pure Land Sutra
Lankavatara Sutra
Lotus Sutra, foundational text of Tiantai and Nichiren sects
Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the last days of the Buddha, Mahayana version
Perfection of Wisdom or Prajāparamita Sutras
Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch
Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment (Chinese: Yuanjue Jing)
Shurangama Sutra
Sutra in Forty-Two Sections
Sutra of Golden Light, important in Japanese Buddhism

See also Buddhist Texts: Mahayana text

Vajrayana Sutras

Mahavairocana Sutra also known as the Mahavairocanādhisambodhi Tantra.
Vajrasekhara Sutra