Among these three fundamental modes of training, Sila, or morality, is first recommended for Buddhist practice both on the personal and the social levels. On the personal level, the observance of the basic five precepts for lay Buddhist serves as the preliminary groundwork for the cultivation of higher virtue of mental development. Sila is the most important step on the spiritual path. Without morality, meditation training in right mindfulness and right concentration can not be attained, and without right concentration, according to the Theravada concept, wisdom can not be perfected.
On the social level, Sila contributes to harmonious and peaceful coexistence among community members and consequently helps to promote social development. Most of the problems that society experience today are connected, directly or indirectly, to a lack pf good morality. Questions of morality, which always concern the issues of right and wrong, good and evil, have been discussed in the foregoing chapter. The path of training in morality consists of right speech, right action and right livelihood, which will be discussed below.
By THE BUDDHA'S Core Teachings
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