Skip to reading
← Itivuttaka

Not Mortifying

Iti 31 · Atapanīyasutta

Natural pebbles beneath a clear alpine stream.

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“These two things, mendicants, are not mortifying. What two? It’s when someone has done good and skillful things that keep them safe, but has not done bad things, violence and sin. Thinking, ‘I have done good things’, they’re not mortified. Thinking, ‘I haven’t done bad things’, they’re not mortified. These are the two things that are not mortifying.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Having given up bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and whatever else is corrupt;

not having done bad deeds, and having done many good, when their body breaks up, that wise person is reborn in heaven.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Connections

Collection & context

Books

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.