The Buddha describes the three kinds of good conduct - by body, speech and mind.

PTS 55

ITI 65 Sucarita sutta - Good Conduct

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, sucaritāni. Katamāni tīṇi? Kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi sucaritānī”ti.

“There are these three kinds of good conduct. What are the three? Good bodily conduct, good verbal conduct, and good mental conduct. These are the three kinds of good conduct.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

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

“Kāyaduccaritaṁ hitvā,
vacīduccaritāni ca;
Manoduccaritaṁ hitvā,
yañcaññaṁ dosasaṁhitaṁ.

“Having abandoned bodily misconduct,
and verbal misconduct,
and mental misconduct,
and whatever else is faulty—

Akatvākusalaṁ kammaṁ,
katvāna kusalaṁ bahuṁ;
Kāyassa bhedā sappañño,
saggaṁ so upapajjatī”ti.

Not having done unwholesome deeds,
and having done much wholesome;
with the breaking up of the body, the discerning one,
is reborn in heaven.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

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

Qualities:

Discernment

Discernment

Clear seeing that distinguishes what is wholesome from unwholesome, true from false.

Also known as: ability to make out distinctions, ability to discriminate, distinguish, clear seeing, penetrating internal vision
Pāli: viveka, nipaka, niccheyya
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Non-harm

Non-harm

The intention of harmlessness, rooted in the understanding that all beings tremble at violence and fear death.

Also known as: non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness, non-killing, non-hurting
Pāli: avihiṃsā, ahiṁsa
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Last updated on October 2, 2026

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