The Related Suttas Collection 45.48

5. Abbreviated Texts on Followers of Other Religions

Extinguishment by Not Grasping

At Sāvatthī.

“Bhikkhus, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you: ‘Friends, what’s the purpose of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’ You should answer them like this: ‘The purpose of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is Nibbana by not grasping.’

If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: ‘Is there a path and a practice for Nibbana by not grasping?’ You should answer them like this: ‘There is a path and a practice for Nibbana by not grasping.’

And what is that path, what is that practice for Nibbana by not grasping? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is the path, this is the practice for Nibbana by not grasping.

When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that’s how you should answer them.”