The Blessed One outlines two sequential teachings of the Dhamma: first, see harm as harm; second, become dispassionate and detached from it.

ITI 39  Desanā sutta - Teaching

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:

“Tathāgatassa, bhikkhave, arahato sammāsambuddhassa dve dhammadesanā pariyāyena bhavanti. Katamā dve? ‘Pāpaṁ pāpakato passathā’ti ayaṁ paṭhamā dhammadesanā; ‘pāpaṁ pāpakato disvā tattha nibbindatha virajjatha vimuccathā’ti ayaṁ dutiyā dhammadesanā. Tathāgatassa, bhikkhave, arahato sammāsambuddhassa imā dve dhammadesanā pariyāyena bhavantī”ti.

“|Bhikkhus,::::| for the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the perfectly Awakened One, there are two teachings of the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| in sequence. What are the two? ‘See |harm::evil, wrong, worthless, bad [pāpaka]| as harm’—this is the first teaching; and ‘Having seen harm as harm, become |disenchanted with::disillusioned with [nibbindati]| it, become |dispassionate toward::detached from [virajjati]| it, and be |released from::freed from [vimuccati]| it’—this is the second teaching. |Bhikkhus,::::| for the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the perfectly Awakened One, these are the two teachings of the Dhamma in sequence.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Tathāgatassa buddhassa,
sabbabhūtānukampino;
Pariyāyavacanaṁ passa,
dve ca dhammā pakāsitā.

“Of the Tathāgata, the Buddha,
compassionate toward all beings,
behold the method of speech,
and the two teachings explained:

Pāpakaṁ passatha cetaṁ,
tattha cāpi virajjatha;
Tato virattacittāse,
dukkhassantaṁ karissathā”ti.

See this as harm,
and become dispassionate toward it;
then, with a |detached::free from desire [viratta]| mind,
you will make an end of |suffering::mild suffering, intense suffering, discomfort, pain, disease, unpleasantness, stress, discontentment, dissatisfaction [dukkhassa]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṁyutta
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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Recollection of the Buddha

Recollection of the Buddha

A mental quality of reflecting on the qualities of the Buddha, which counters doubt and strengthens faith.

Also known as: recollection of Buddha, mindfulness of the Buddha, reflection on the qualities of the Buddha
Pāli: buddhānussati, buddhānusmṛti
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Last updated on May 1, 2026