The Moon Simile Sutra

This is what I have heard:

At one time, the World-Honored One was dwelling in the Bamboo Grove Monastery at Kalandaka, near Rājagṛha, together with the assembly of monks. Then, the World-Honored One addressed the monks:

"As the world sees it, the bright moon is full, moving through the sky, pure and unobstructed. So too, monks who do not break their dignified conduct, who remain as mindful as when they first took the precepts, who are fully endowed with a sense of shame and modesty, whose body and mind are never scattered or disturbed—when they enter the homes of laypeople in accordance with the Dharma, they are likewise pure and untainted.

"Monks, again, just as a person with clear eyes, whether entering deep and vast waters, crossing dangerous rivers, or traversing rugged and uneven mountain cliffs, can see clearly and thus remain free from doubt and fear—so too are the monks as described before.

"Monks, what I have said now is like the moon moving through the sky, pure and unobstructed. It is like a clear-eyed person traversing all dangers, free from doubt and fear. And the monk Kāśyapa, who does not break his dignified conduct, who remains as mindful as when he first took the precepts, who is fully endowed with a sense of shame and modesty, whose body and mind are never scattered or disturbed—when he enters the homes of laypeople in accordance with the Dharma, he is pure and untainted, free from all timidity and fear, just like that."

Then, the World-Honored One again addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "O bhikkhus, when you enter the homes of laypeople, with what mind, with what demeanor, should you enter their homes?"

Furthermore, O monks! If anyone can arouse such a mind and teach the Dharma to others, I declare that person to be the purest, truest, and most capable of ensuring the long-lasting presence of the Tathagata's true Dharma in this world.

The Buddha finished speaking this sutra. All the monks, with joy and faith, received and upheld it.

The Moon Parable Sutra