Heart Sutra – Central in Zen and often chanted daily. Main points: looking into yourself you see that everything is changing and falling apart, and there nothing permanent to call “you”. There’s nothing to get or chase, so relax.
Platform Sutra – Attributed to the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, who has a great story himself. The sutra covers sudden enlightenment, no-mind (non-attachment to thought), the unity of wisdom and action, and Buddha nature (we’re already enlightened, we just reveal it). Warning: it’s long.
Diamond Sutra – An influential sutra that delves deep into emptiness and enlightenment. Enlightenment is not something to attain, because the very idea of attainment is a delusion. “A bodhisattva should develop a mind which does not abide anywhere.”
Lotus Sutra – It teaches that all beings have Buddha-nature and can awaken—the “One Vehicle” teaching. Famous for the burning house parable.