No.288 - If we throw out the precepts,

If we throw out the precepts,

throw out the course of practice,

we are not practitioners. We will be philosophers.

Philosophers are not able to help themselves.

They can't overcome Dukkha for themselves.

It is just knowledge. It's not Sīla, Samādhi and Paññā*.

The thing that makes us penetrate the Dhamma is “Sīla”.

The thing that makes us attain

liberation and freedom is “Samādhi”.

It is not important whether we know a lot or a little,

the importance lies within having Sīla, having Samādhi.

Our “heart and mind” will become the important thing.

*Sīla, Samādhi, Paññā: Virtue, Concentration and Wisdom, the three aspects of the practice.

From Manasikāradhamma - Dhamma for Reflection (2016): a second collection of quotes from the teachings of Luang Por Guṇha Sukhakāmo, translated by Sāmanerī Viveka