The primary goal of Buddhist concentration (samadhi) is the attainment of
enlightenment and nibbana. By placing the goal of life in the attainment of nibbana
through enlightenment, Theravada Buddhism does not make the cultivation of intellectual
power of greater importance than the practice of morality (sila). The practice of morality
is emphasized as the primary condition that must be fulfilled before the mind can fit to be
a receptacle of truth. Morality is a means to attain enlightenment, but it alone does not
constitute enlightenment. Without a perfect understanding of the real nature of the self
and other things, no one can attain nibbana, however moral he may be. To lead the higher
life, enlightened understanding is absolutely necessary, but it cannot be obtained except
by the practice of morality such as benevolence and forbearance. In this way morality and
knowledge are intertwined-like heat and light in a flame-so much that they cannot be
separated from one another. Noone can even be said to be truly moral, if he does not
possess the necessary insight and knowledge. The abstract understanding of the anatta
(the substratelessness of things) cannot destroy the illusion which makes one believe in
the reality of ego, unless the practice of charity teaches him to sacrifice his goods, his
body, and even his life. But true altruism, genuine benevolence, and sincere charity imply
also liberality of intelligence and enlightened understanding. The achievement of
enlightenment necessarily presupposes the presence of compassion, devotion, and
morality. In short, it may be said that while morality from the basis of the higher life knowledge completes it. Mere change in external life and conduct cannot yield much
benefit unless coupled with a through cleansing of the mind from all defilements. This
subjective purification is to be affected by liberating knowledge that annihilates all
thought of an attachment to self. Only those who have achieved such knowledge can be
said to be able to internalize morality in their every thought, word and deed, i.e., perfectly
fulfilling the moral precepts.