The Āgama Section (; ) is a major division of the Taishō Tripiṭaka, the standard edition of the Chinese Buddhist canon. It preserves some of the earliest Buddhist teachings, including sūtras (discourses) that purport to record the words and dialogues of the Buddha and his disciples. These texts are related to the Āgamas and correspond broadly to the Sutta Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the primary scriptural collection of Theravāda Buddhism.
The Āgama Section represents the Chinese Buddhist tradition’s transmission of early Buddhist scripture, translated primarily from Sanskrit and other Indian languages between the 2nd and 7th centuries CE. It comprises the first two volumes of the Taishō Tripiṭaka and includes text numbers 1–151.
Major collections in this section include the Dīrghāgama (長阿含經; T1, "Long Discourses"), Madhyamāgama (中阿含經; T26, "Middle-Length Discourses"), Saṃyuktāgama (雜阿含經; T99, "Connected Discourses"), and the Ekottarikāgama (增壹阿含經; T125, "Numerical Discourses"). It also contains individually translated sūtras outside these collections, such as the Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra (佛說轉法輪經; T109), which recounts the Buddha’s first teaching following his enlightenment.
Contents +CategoryTaishō No. (Koryeo No.)Chinese title (Pinyin; Japanese)Sanskrit Title (English Title)Chinese TranslationEnglish TranslationsDescription and ParallelsVolume 1DīrghāgamaT1 (K647)長阿含經 (Cháng Āhán Jīng; Jō Agon Kyō)Dīrghāgama (Longer Āgama Collection)Translated by Zhu Fonian based on a text read out by Buddhayaśas in 412-413 CE. 22 fascicles, 4 vargas, 30 sūtras.Shohei Ichimura, The Canonical book of the Buddha's Lengthy Discourses and Charles Patton as The Long Discourses.A collection of 30 longer sūtras in four sections. Roughly parallel to the Pāli Dīgha Nikāya. This recension belongs to the Dharmaguptaka School.T2 (K1182)七佛經 (Qīfó Jīng; Shichibutsu Kyō)Saptabuddhaka (Seven Buddhas Sūtra)Translated by Fatian in 973 CE. 1 fascicle.No English translations.A narrative relating the biographies of seven past buddhas. One of several translations with genetic relation to the Mahāvadāna-sūtra (T1(1); 大本經), correlating to the Pāli Mahāpadāna-suttanta (DN14). Besides T1(1) parallels found in T3, T4, and T136).T3 (K1177)毘婆尸佛經 (Pípóshīfó Jīng; Bibashibutsu Kyō)*Vipaśyinbuddha-sūtra (Vipaśyin Buddha Sūtra)Translated by Fatian in 973 CE. 2 fascicles.No English translations.A narrative relating the biography of Vipaśyin Buddha, with some overlaps with Fatian's translation of T2, and thus also the Mahāvadāna-sūtra (T1(1)). Besides T2, partial parallels are also found in T4 and T125(19.1).T4 (K747)七佛父母姓字經 (Qīfó Fùmǔ Xìngzì Jīng; Shichibutsu Fumo Shōji Kyō)*Saptabuddha-pitṛmātṛ-gotranāma-sūtra (Sūtra on the Parents and Clan Names of the Seven Buddhas)Translator unknown. Dates to the Cao Wei Dynasty (220-254 CE). 1 fascicle.No English translations.A simplified variant on the Mahāvadāna-sūtra (T1(1)) narrative, where the Buddha relates the biographical details of seven past buddhas. Besides T1(1), parallels are also found in T2, T3, and T125(48.4).T5 (K653)佛般泥洹經 (Fó Bānníhuán Jīng; Butsu Hannion Kyō)*Buddha-nirvāṇa-sūtra (Sūtra on the Buddha's Nirvāṇa)Translated by Bo Fazu in the Western Jin Dynasty's Huidi era (290-306 CE). 2 fascicles.No English translations.A rendition of the narrative leading up to the Buddha's parinirvāṇa in Kuśinagara. One of several sūtras of genetic relation to the Journey Sūtra (T1(2); 遊行經) correlating to the Pāli Mahāparinibbāna-suttanta (DN16). Besides T1(2), parallels are also found in T6, T7, T26(68 & 142), and T125(40.2).T6 (K654)般泥洹經 (Bānníhuán Jīng; Hannion Kyō)Nirvāṇa-sūtraTranslator unknown. Dates to the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420). 2 fascicles.No English translations.Similar to T5, this is a rendition of the narrative leading up to the Buddha's parnirvāṇa starting from his departure from Rājagṛha, with emphasis the distribution of his relics and worship of stūpas. Ui suggests Dharmarakṣa (c. 239–316) as the possible translator. Besides T5, parallels include T1(2), T7, T26(68 & 142), and T125(40.2).T7 (K652)大般槃經經 (Dà Bānnièpán Jīng; Dai Hannehan Gyō)Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra (Sūtra on the Great Final Nirvāṇa)Translated by Faxian in 416–418. 3 fascicles.No English translations.Similar to T5 and T6, this sūtra is a rendition of the narrative of the Buddha's nirvāṇa, from his announcement that he will enter nirvāṇa up to the division of his relics. Parallels are T1(2), T5, T6, and T26(68).T8 (K1453)大堅固婆羅門緣起經 (Dà Jiān'gù Póluómén Yuánqǐ Jīng; Dai Kengo Baramon Engi Kyō)*Mahā-dṛḍha-brāhmaṇa-nidāna-sūtra (Sūtra of the Great Reliable Brahmin) Lancaster suggests Mahāgovindiya-sūtra.Translated by Dānapāla in 1010. 2 fascicles.No English translations.A past-life story of the Buddha's time as the Great Reliable Brahmin, in which he guides a king. Roughly equivalent to the Pāli Mahāgovinda-sutta (DN19). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Govinda-sūtra T1(3).T9 (K1247)人仙經 (Rénxiān Jīng; Ninsen Kyō)*Ṛṣi-jina-sūtra (The Seer Sage Sūtra)Translated by Tainxizai in 1001. 1 fascicle.No English translations.Some time before his nirvāṇa, the Buddha delivers this sūtra on King Bimbisāra's rebirth as Ṛṣi Jina in the heaven of Vaiśravaṇa. Equivalent to the Pāli Janavasabha-sutta (DN18). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Janavṛṣabha-sūtra T1(4).T10 (K1464)白衣金幢二婆羅門緣起經 (Báiyī Jīnchuáng Ér Póluómén Yuánqǐ Jīng; Byakue Kondō Ni Baramon Engi Kyō)*Dvibrāhmaṇa-vāsiṣṭha-bhāradvāja-prat-sūtra (The Sūtra on Origination for the Two Brahmins, Vāsiṣṭha and Bhāradvāja)Translated by Dānapāla in 1012. 3 fascicles.No English translations.The Buddha explains to two brahmins about how caste is irrelevant to being a true brahmin. This sūtra is equivalent to the Pāli Aggañña-sutta (DN27). It's parallels include the Dīrghāgama's Lesser Sūtra on Conditions (T1(5); 小緣經) and the Madhyamāgama's Bhāradvāja-sūtra (T26(154); 婆羅婆堂經).T11 (K1463)尼拘陀梵志經 (Níjūtuó Fànzhì Jīng; Nikuda Bonshi Kyō)*Nyagrodha-brāhmaṇa-sūtra (The Sūtra on the Brahmin Nyagrodha)Translated by Dānapāla in 980. 2 fascicles.No English translations.The Buddha explains to Nyagrodha about the disadvantages of asceticism and how to practise the Buddha-Dharma. Equivalent to the Pāli Udumbarika-sīhanāda-sutta (D23). Parallels include the Dīrghāgama's Sandānikā Sūtra (T1(8); 散陀那經), and the Madhyamāgama's Udambara Sūtra (T26(104); 優曇婆邏經).T12 (K1429)大集法門經 (Dàjí Fǎmén Jīng; Daishū Hōmon Kyō)Mahāsaṅgīti-sūtra(The Sūtra on the Great Assembly)Translated by Dānapāla in 980. 2 fascicles.No English translations.During a full moon day, the Buddha teaches the Saṅgha near Pāvā but retires due to a backache. Śāriputra takes over and recites a comprehensive collection of the Buddha's teachings. Equivalent to the Pāli Saṅgītisutta (DN33). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Saṅgīti-sūtra (T1(9); 衆集經).T13 (K663)長阿含十報法經 (Cháng Āhánshíbàofǎ Jīng; Jō Agon Juppō Hōkyō)*Dīrghāgama-daśavipāka-dharma-sūtra(The Dīrghāgama Sūtra on the Ten Retributive Dharmas)Translated by An Shigao between 148 and 170 CE. 2 fascicles.No English translations.The Buddha analyses the Dharma into ten aspects: attaining, cultivation, awakening, cessation, retrogression, increase, the difficult to understand, arising, knowledge, and realisation. This early sūtra is thought to record an early phase in the development of the Āgama literature. Equivalent to the Pāli Dasuttarasutta (DN34) and the Dīrghāgama's Daśottara-sūtra (T1(10); 十上經).T14 (K655)人本欲生經 (Rén Běnyùshēng Jīng; Nin Honyokushō Kyō)Mahānidāna-sūtra (The Sūtra on the Great Origin; The Sūtra on the Origin of Humans into Desire)Translated by An Shigao between 146 and 156 CE. 1 fascicle.No English translations.The Buddha teaches on dependent origination, starting with old age and death, birth, becoming, attachment, and desire. Equivalent to the Pāli Mahānidāna-suttanta (DN15). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Mahānidāna-sūtra (T1(13); 大緣方便經), the Madhyamāgama's Mahānidāna-sūtra (T26(79); 大因經), and T52.T15 (K1252)帝釋所問經 (Dìshì Suǒwèn Jīng; Taishaku Shomon Kyō)Śakra-paripṛcchā-sūtra (The Sūtra on the Questions of Śakra)Translated by Faxian (the latter) between 998 and 1001. 1 fascicle.No English translations.Śakra is taught by the Buddha that suffering arises from ignorance, and that release comes through the eightfold path. It includes discussion of how women can abandon their female form and be born as devas. Equivalent to the Pāli Sakkapañha-sutta (DN21). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Śakrodevendra-paripṛcchā-sūtra (T1(14); 釋提桓因問經), the Madhyamāgama's Śakra-paripṛcchā-sūtra (T26(134); 釋問經) and the Saṃyukta-ratna-piṭaka-sūtra's Śakra-paripṛcchāvadāna (T203(6); 帝釋問事緣).T16 (K656)佛說尸迦羅越六方禮經 (Shījiāluóyuè Liùfānglǐ Jīng; Shigaraotsu Roppōrai Kyō)Śṛgālāvāda-sūtra (The Words for Śṛgālā Sūtra)Translated by An Shigao between 148 and 170. 1 fascicle.Bhadanta Pannasiri, "Sigālovāda-Sutta," Visva-Bharati Annals 3 (1950): 150-228 (from p. 165).Śṛgālā (a.k.a. Sujāta or Sujātaputra) bows to the six directions wishing to avoid misfortune. The Buddha suggests that instead he should pay respect to six kinds of people on whom one relies, e.g. parents, teachers, etc. Equivalent to the Pāli Sigālovāda Sutta (DN31). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Sujāta-sūtra (T1(16); 善生經), the Madhyamāgama's Sujāta-sūtra (T26(135); 善生經), and the Sujātaputra-sūtra (T17; 善生子經).T17 (K718)善生子經 (Shànshēngzǐ Jīng; Zenshōshi Kyō)Sujātapura-sūtra (The Sūtra of Sujāta's Son)Translated by Zhi Fadu in 301. 1 fascicle.Bhadanta Pannasiri, "Sigālovāda-Sutta," Visva-Bharati Annals 3 (1950): 150-228 (from p. 173).A retranslation of T16. Equivalent to the Pāli Sigālovāda Sutta (DN31). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Sujāta-sūtra (T1(16); 善生經), the Madhyamāgama's Sujāta-sūtra (T26(135); 善生經), and the Śṛgālāvāda-sūtra (T16; 佛說尸迦羅越六方禮經).T18 (K1248)信佛功德經 (Xìnfó Gōngdé Jīng; Shinbutsu Kudoku Kyō)Sūtra of Faith in the Buddha's MeritsTranslated by Faxian (the latter) in 1001. 1 fascicle.No English translation.Śāriputra speaks of his great faith in the Buddha. While admitting his ignorance of the merits of all buddhas of the three times, Śāriputra praises their merits in terms of morality and liberation. Equivalent to the Pāli Sampasādanīya Sutta (DN28). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Personal Gladness Sūtra (T1(18); 自歡喜經).T19 (K1179)大三摩惹經 (Dà Sānmórě Jīng; Dai Sanmanya Kyō)Mahāsamāja Sūtra (The Great Assembly Sūtra)Translated by Fatian in 973. 1 fascicle.No English translation.A large assembly of devas come to hear the Buddha teach and see the saṅgha. Parts equivalent to the Pāli Mahasamaya Sutta (DN20) and Āṭānāṭiya Sutta (DN32). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Mahāsamāja Sūtra(T1(19)); 大會經), the Saṃyuktāgama's "Assembly" (T99(44.15); 集曾), and the Alternative Saṃyuktāgama's sutta 5.22.T20 (K657)佛開解梵志阿颰經 (Fó Kāijiě Fànzhìābá Jīng; Butsu Kaige Bonshi Abatsu Kyō)(The Sūtra of the Buddha's Awakening of Ambāṣṭha)Translated by Zhi Qian between 223 and 253. 1 fascicle.No English translation.The Buddha teaches the proud brahmin Ambāṣṭha, that while the kṣatriyas are really superior to brahmins, true nobility stems from morality, meditation, and wisdom. Equivalent to the Pāli Ambaṭṭha Sutta (DN3). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Ambāṣṭha Sūtra (T1(20); 波羅牢經).T21 (K659)梵網六十二見經 (Fànwǎng Liùshíèr Jiàn Jīng; Bonmō Rokujūni Ken Kyō)(The Brahma Net of Sixty-two Views Sūtra)Translated by Zhi Qian between 223 and 253. 1 fascicle.No English translation.Two ascetics disagree about the virtue or vice of the Buddha. The Buddha explains the benefit of not being moved by praise or blame for them, with a lengthy discussion on the 62 wrong views. Equivalent to the Pāli Brahmajāla Sutta (DN1). Parallel to the Dīrghāgama's Brahmā's Shaking Sūtra (T1(21); 梵動經).T22 (K658)寂志果經 (Jìzhìguǒ Jīng; Jakushika Kyō)Śrāmaṇyaphala Sūtra