The Bequeathed Teaching Sutra

Before his parinirvana, Buddha Shakyamuni told his disciples in The Bequeathed Teaching Sutra that they should follow the prātimokṣa precepts (vows of individual liberation) as their teacher. Following this discipline is the principal way to safeguard virtuous qualities. It is the basis of liberation, and the source of all samadhi and the transcendental wisdom that ends suffering. In order to ensure that his disciples would continue to attain liberation after he manifested nirvana; the Buddha gave detailed instructions on maintaining pure precepts, eliminating suffering and afflictions, and the development of noble qualities. This sutra can be said to be a synopsis of the teachings given by the Buddha throughout his entire life, as well as a road map leading practitioners to liberation.