The etymological meaning of the Sanskrit term sūtra refers to vertical threads of a textile or vertical, and such meaning is extended by Buddhists to refer to scriptures that record the teaching of the Buddha. Thus, sūtra can mean line, string, scripture, or the verse or sentences, which convey the teachings of the Buddha, or one of the twelve divisions of scripture. When sūtra is transcribed as Hsiu-to-luo or translated into Chinese Ching, it refers to the scriptures that convey the Buddha’s teaching: in a narrow sense, one of the twelve literary styles of the Buddhist canon; in a broad sense, one of the Tripiṭaka, i.e., the whole scripture. In line with the meanings such as vertical, line, string, sūtra is translated into Chinese as Ch’i-ching, meaning “to conform to,” which is traditionally understood as suggesting that the Buddha ‘s teaching conforms to the truth and is suitable for all people. Ch’i is traditionally interpreted as that which penetrates and embraces. Sūtras are thought to penetrate into the truth and embrace all sentient beings. … According to these various meanings of the word sūtra, Chih-i summarizes five meanings in view of the sūtra being untranslatable (e.g. foundation, slight emanation, gushing spring, line marker, garlands being tied together) and five meanings in view of the sūtra being translatable (e.g. Ching, tallying with, foundation, thread, and wholesome teaching). (Vol. 2, Page 403)