What is the Buddha’s teaching in one sentence?
I was watching Bhikkhu Bodhi’s Introduction to Buddhism course the other day, and in the first lesson he mentioned that it’s possible to summarize the Buddha’s teaching in one sentence.
This utterance is contained in the verse 183 of the The Dhammapada and has several translations into English language. The version I’m sharing here comes from Access to Insight:
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas. — Dhammapada 183
“To avoid all evil” and “to cultivate good” refer to ethical conduct (sila), and “to cleanse one’s mind” refers to mental discipline (samadhi). However, this sentence lacks the third element — wisdom (panna), which is included in the three subdivisions of the Noble Eightfold Path. That’s why this passage from the verse 63 of Majjhima Nikaya better captures the essence of Dharma:
“And what have I declared? ‘This is suffering’—I have declared. ‘This is the origin of suffering’—I have declared. ‘This is the cessation of suffering’—I have declared. ‘This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering’—I have declared.” — The Buddha, Majjhima Nikaya 63
Complement with our articles on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
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