Many Buddhist view the Suttas and Sutras to be the words of Buddha directly handed down over many generations. In addition, the reading of canonical texts is said to be a valid form of religious practice and a means through which a practitioner can meditate. Many Sutras, such as the Dharmaparyayas, are said to have transformative properties on the mind and oftentimes have a profound effect on its readers. Other Sutras provide philosophical and moral guidance as well as a source of merit through which one can produce positive karma.