Not doing any evil, cultivating the good, purifying one’s own mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ — not doing any evil: the first pillar. Sabba-pāpa is all evil, without exceptions. Akaraṇa is the non-doing of evil. The negative formulation establishes the ethical minimum: first, do no harm.

Kusalassa upasampadā — cultivating the good: the second pillar. Kusala is the skillful, the healthy, the beneficial. Upasampadā is realization, active cultivation. Not doing evil is not enough — one must actively cultivate good.

Sacittapariyodapanaṃ — purifying one’s own mind: the third pillar. Sacitta is one’s own mind. Pariyodapana is complete purification. This third step transcends behavioral ethics to enter internal transformation.

Etaṃ buddhāna sāsanaṃ — this is the teaching of the Buddhas: sāsana is teaching, instruction, mandate. These three principles summarize the complete teaching of all Buddhas — not just Gotama but all Buddhas of all times. This verse is probably the most quoted in the entire Pāli canon and constitutes the most concise and complete summary of the Buddhist path.