Sacred Texts & Sources
Complete index of 1000+ foundational texts with summaries and lineage
The world's wisdom traditions have produced an extensive body of sacred texts, philosophical treatises, and spiritual writings spanning thousands of years. Explore the foundational texts that shaped each wisdom tradition.
Buddhism (120+ Texts)
Pali Canon (Tipitaka)
Earliest recorded Buddhist teachings. Contains Vinaya (rules), Suttas (discourses), Abhidhamma (philosophy). Theravada primary texts.
Mahayana Sutras (80+ works)
Lotus Sutra, Heart Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra. Central to Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing Buddha nature and bodhisattva path.
Tibetan Buddhist Texts (40+ major)
Tibetan Book of the Dead, Dzogchen teachings, tantric commentaries. Preserves complete Buddhist philosophical systems.
Zen/Chan Texts (30+ major)
Platform Sutra, Mumonkan (Gateless Gate), Gateless Barrier. Emphasize direct pointing to mind and sudden awakening.
Hinduism (150+ Texts)
Vedas (4 Primary Texts)
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda. Ancient Sanskrit texts containing hymns, rituals, and philosophical concepts. Foundation of Hinduism.
Upanishads (108 Texts)
Vedantic philosophy. Isha, Kena, Katha, Mundaka, Mandukya. Explore Brahman, Atman, and nature of reality.
Bhagavad Gita
700 verses of Krishna teaching Arjuna. Central text on dharma, yoga, and spiritual practice. Most popular Hindu scripture.
Mahabharata & Ramayana (2 Epics)
World's longest epics. Contains philosophy, mythology, dharma teachings. Integral to Hindu culture and spirituality.
Puranas (18+ Major Texts)
Stories of gods, mythology, cosmology. Bhagavata Purana highly revered. Make philosophy accessible through narratives.
Christianity (80+ Texts)
Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
Torah, Prophets, Wisdom literature. 39 books containing law, history, poetry, prophecy. Foundation of Judeo-Christian tradition.
New Testament (27 Books)
4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Acts, Epistles, Revelation. Record of Jesus' life and early Christian teachings.
Church Fathers (30+ Major Works)
Augustine, Aquinas, Origen, Gregory. Developed Christian theology and philosophy. Include Confessions, Summa Theologiae.
Christian Mystics (20+ Major Works)
Cloud of Unknowing, Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle. Christian contemplative tradition and mystical theology.
Islam (100+ Texts)
Quran
114 chapters, 6236 verses. Revealed to Muhammad. Central scripture of Islam. Contains law, narrative, spiritual guidance.
Hadith Collections (6+ Major)
Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, others. Recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad. Form Sunnah (Islamic practice).
Sufi Texts (40+ Major Works)
Masnavi (Rumi), Ghazals (Hafiz), Conference of the Birds. Islamic mysticism, ecstatic poetry, path to God.
Islamic Philosophy (20+ Major)
Al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi, Averroes. Synthesize Islamic faith with Greek philosophy and metaphysics.
Judaism (90+ Texts)
Torah (5 Books)
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Jewish law, history, covenant. Foundation of Judaism.
Talmud
Mishnah + Gemara. Vast commentary on Torah. 63 tractates. Discusses law, ethics, mysticism, philosophy.
Kabbalah (15+ Major Works)
Zohar, Tree of Life, Sefer Yetzirah. Jewish mysticism. Explores divine emanations and cosmic structure.
Prophetic Books & Wisdom Literature (20+ Books)
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalms, Proverbs. Prophecy, poetry, wisdom teachings central to Jewish spirituality.
Taoism & Confucianism (80+ Texts)
Tao Te Ching
81 verses attributed to Laozi. Core Taoist text. Teaches the Way (Tao), non-action (Wu Wei), harmony with nature.
Zhuangzi
Taoist classics. Allegorical stories and parables. Explores freedom, transcendence, uselessness, and transformation.
Analects of Confucius
Sayings of Confucius compiled by disciples. Teaches virtue, propriety, filial piety, governance.
I Ching (Book of Changes)
Ancient divination text. 64 hexagrams. Used in both Taoist and Confucian contexts. Explores transformation and harmony.
Mencius, Xunzi & Neo-Confucian Texts (15+ Works)
Develop Confucian philosophy. Discuss human nature, virtue, social order, metaphysics.
Western Philosophy (100+ Texts)
Presocratic Philosophers (40+ Fragments)
Thales, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Pythagoras. Foundation of Western philosophy. Explore nature and being.
Plato & Aristotle (30+ Works)
Republic, Timaeus, Metaphysics, Politics. Foundational to Western thought. Explore ideal forms, being, ethics.
Stoic Texts (15+ Major Works)
Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius Meditations. Emphasize virtue, duty, living according to nature.
Enlightenment & Modern Philosophy (20+ Major)
Descartes, Kant, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein. Develop modern philosophy, epistemology, ethics.
Other Wisdom Traditions (60+ Texts)
Zoroastrian Texts
Avesta, Yasna, Vendidad. Ancient Persian scriptures. Dualism and divine cosmos. Influenced Judaism, Christianity, Islam.
Indigenous Oral Traditions (40+ Documented)
Native American, Aboriginal, African spiritual knowledge. Preserved through oral transmission. Emphasize earth connection.
Hermetic & Mystery School Texts
Emerald Tablet, Corpus Hermeticum. Esoteric wisdom traditions. Alchemy, mysticism, divine knowledge.