Not to do any evil, to cultivate good, to purify one's mind, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.
Khantī paramaṁ tapo titikkhā, Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ vadanti Buddhā, na hi pabbajito parūpaghātī, samaṇo hoti paraṁ viheṭhayanto.
Forbearing patience is the highest austerity. Nibbàna is supreme, say the Buddhas. He, verily, is not a recluse who harms another. Nor is he an ascetic who oppresses others.
Anupavādo anupaghāto, pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro, mattaññutā ca bhattasmiṁ, pantañ-ca sayanāsanaṁ, adhicitte ca āyogo - etaṁ Buddhāna’ sāsanaṁ.
Not insulting, not harming, restraint according to the Fundamental Moral Code, moderation in food, secluded abode, intent on higher thoughts, - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.
Story
On one occasion, Thera Ananda asked the Buddha whether the Fundamental Instructions to bhikkhus given by the preceding Buddhas were the same as those of the Buddha himself. To him the Buddha replied that the instructions given by all the Buddhas are as given in the following verses:
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Not to do any evil, to cultivate good, to purify one's mind, this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.
Forbearing patience is the highest austerity. Nibbàna is supreme, say the Buddhas. He, verily, is not a recluse who harms another. Nor is he an ascetic who oppresses others.
Not insulting, not harming, restraint according to the Fundamental Moral Code, moderation in food, secluded abode, intent on higher thoughts, - this is the Teaching of the Buddhas.
