Buddhist sutras speak of true emptiness and wonderful existence, the doctrine of the Middle Way. They avoid the extreme doctrines of existence and non-existence, being and non-being. They begin with "Thus I have heard" to distinguish them from non-Buddhist texts. - Shurangama Sutra, Testimony of Faith
Before the Buddha passed onto Paranirvana, Ananda was told by him to preface his lectures based on what the Buddha said with "Thus I have heard."
In this way, they are distinguished from non-Buddhist texts which discuss existence and non-existence.
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