Generic term applied to a collection of traditional doctrines and precepts; also means the home or collecting-place of the law or truth; the peerless law; the ultimate absolute truth. The Four Agamas are as follows: （1） Dirghagama， "law treatises on cosmogony; （2） Madhyamagama， "middle" treatises on metaphysics; （3） Samyuktagama， "miscellaneous" treatises on abstract contemplation; （4） Edottaragama， "numerical" treatises on subjects treated numerically.The sutras of Theravada are referred to at times as the Agamas.