Essential Instructions in the Dharma

Bai Juyi (772-846 CE) was a famous poet and government official during the Tang Dynasty in China. 
On one occasion, he sought essential instructions in the Dharma from a monk.
The monk quoted the summary of the doctrine that the Buddha Shakyamuni offered:
                          "Avoid evil. Do good. Purify your mind”. 
Bai Juyi was not impressed.  
"Even a three-year-old knows these words". He said.
"What I want to know is the most profound and fundamental statement of the Buddha".
The monk replied," Yes! A three-year-old knows these words,
     But even the elders of eighty still have not put them into practice."

                                                            ~ From The Web ~