The Buddha explains how bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct lead to self-infliction of harm.

AN 3.17  Attabyābādha sutta - Self-Infliction of Harm

“Tayome, bhikkhave, dhammā attabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, parabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti. Katame tayo? Kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ.

“Bhikkhus, these three qualities lead to self-infliction of harm, to the harm of others, and to the harm of both. What are these three? Bodily misconduct, verbal misconduct, and mental misconduct.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo dhammā attabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, parabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti.

Indeed, bhikkhus, these three qualities lead to self-infliction of harm, to the harm of others, and to the harm of both.

Tayome, bhikkhave, dhammā nevattabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, na parabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, na ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti. Katame tayo? Kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ.

Bhikkhus, these three qualities lead neither to self-infliction of harm, nor to the harm of others, nor to the harm of both. What are these three? Good bodily conduct, good verabl conduct, and good mental conduct.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo dhammā nevattabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, na parabyābādhāyapi saṁvattanti, na ubhayabyābādhāyapi saṁvattantī”ti.

Indeed, bhikkhus, these three qualities lead neither to self-infliction of harm, nor to the harm of others, nor to the harm of both.”

Qualities:

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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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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Last updated on November 29, 2025