Pure Inspiration

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi – 36
a hurry to reach higher stages before mastering the lower, simpler,
more elementary ones.
He stressed the importance of reading the Vinaya (monastic
disciplinary code), of scrupulously observing the precepts, of daily
self-examination, of studying the suttas (discourses), and of obtaining
a comprehensive understanding of the Dhamma based on the Nikāyas.
He avoided speaking about philosophical issues, like the meaning of
non-self or dependent origination, for he gave priority to practice
over theory. He, no doubt, believed that proper understanding of these
matters could only be acquired by those who had reached some level
of maturity in the practice. He must have thought that for a relative
newcomer to turn these teachings into topics of discussion and debate
risked digression into the labyrinth of conceptual proliferation
(papañca).
He spoke of the practice as a solitary journey, which we should be
prepared to walk alone, without dependence on others. And he
stressed the need to find delight in seclusion, to be content with simple
requisites, and to establish solid right view and right motivation. He
probably also spoke of the importance of serving one’s teacher,
whether or not one actually receives instructions from him, simply to
fulfill the Vinaya requirement that one live under the guidance of
one’s teacher for five years. This was a theme I heard him dwell on
through the years whenever he spoke to other newly ordained Western
monks.
I don’t recall whether he gave any specific instructions about
meditation. However, since in later talks he emphasized the
importance of the jhānas, it is quite possible that in our first