By oneself evil is done, by oneself one is defiled; by oneself evil is not done, by oneself one is purified. Purity and impurity are individual; no one can purify another.

Attanā va kataṃ pāpaṃ attanā saṅkilissati — by oneself evil is done, by oneself one is defiled: karmic responsibility is absolutely personal. There is no transfer of guilt or merit (in the strictest sense). Each person is both the agent and recipient of their own actions.

Attanā akataṃ pāpaṃ attanāva visujjhati — by oneself evil is not done, by oneself one is purified: the same logic in positive direction. Purification is also individual responsibility. No one can be purified by another’s grace — only by one’s own practice.

Suddhī asuddhi paccattaṃ — purity and impurity are individual: paccattaṃ is “personal, individual.” The adjective emphasizes that there are no collective shortcuts or institutional transfers of purity.

Nāñño aññaṃ visodhaye — no one can purify another: the most radical declaration of spiritual autonomy. Against all theology of salvation by divine grace or priestly mediation, the Buddha affirms that each person is responsible for their own purification. The teacher can point out the path but cannot walk it for the disciple.