The complete verse provides a three-step guide to spiritual development: To avoid all evil.
Avoiding bad deeds is only the beginning; one must actively do good. This includes practicing , showing loving-kindness (Metta) , and being helpful and honest. It is the transition from "not harming" to "actively helping." 3. Purifying the Mind ( Bhavana ) The complete verse provides a three-step guide to
This is the opening line of one of the most famous verses in the . It is often cited as the essence of the Buddha's teachings—the Ovadapatimokkha . The Full Verse It is the transition from "not harming" to "actively helping
This is the foundational step of ethical conduct. It involves refraining from actions that cause harm to oneself or others. In practical terms, this usually refers to following the : Refraining from killing or harming living beings. Refraining from stealing. Refraining from sexual misconduct. Refraining from false speech. Refraining from intoxicants. 2. Cultivating Goodness ( Kusala ) The Full Verse This is the foundational step
The Pali phrase (Sinhala: සබ්බ පාපස්ස අකරණං ) translates to "To avoid all evil" or "To refrain from doing all bad deeds."