Nibbana means four stages starting from stream entry. One of the commonly spoken topics is virtues. Virtues as precepts or monastic training rules are a preliminary practice that is useful before the stream entry stage. After the stream entry stage, clinging to virtues is abandoned, because they are no longer needed, and the need to maintain the virtues through conscious efforts is given up when one possesses the right understandings of the teachings at the same time, abandoning the relevant fetters and gaining confirmed confidence in the Triple Gem. This happens, because, when there is deeper understanding that there is no permanent self, such an understanding naturally abandons greed, hate and delusion in one’s mind, and the same understanding establishes noble virtues. By understanding the deep teachings and practicing in line with such teachings in daily life, one will become a stream enterer. The noble path leading to Nibbana can be achieved by gaining a deeper understanding of the universally applicable teachings and by practicing in line with the teachings within one’s lifestyle. 

To go beyond commonly practiced virtues to gain stream entry, practicing noble precepts (abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, backbiting, harsh or abusive speech, useless or meaningless conversation, wrong means of livelihood) , becoming a good person who looks after others as applicable to oneself (it may be looking after friends, family, an employer or employees, ascetics and so forth), and becoming an ethical person who genuinely cares for others and avoids discriminating against others on any grounds is the practice that is helpful in developing noble virtues, a factor of stream entry. Given that Nibbana is shaped by one’s Karma and merits, it is one’s genuine practice of abandoning greed, hate and delusion and developing mental detachment that contribute towards progressing in the practice leading to Nibbana, and noble virtues generate merits and allows one to shape one’s Karma. The other three factors of stream entry are confirmed confidence in the Triple Gem, which can be developed by reflecting the qualities of Triple Gem in thoughts as often as possible within daily life. Paying homage and attending to the Triple Gem allow one to gather the highest merits required to gain Nibbana and good things in life.

Regarding the practice of abandoning the relevant fetters, one can train to abandon a non-self view by training the mind in the middle way in daily life. By understanding that life is impermanent and that ups and downs are part of life for all of us and are universally applicable to all beings, one can train the mind not to become disheartened when faced with bad events and, similarly, not to become overjoyed when experiencing good events, as they do not last long, and, in doing so, train the mind in the middle way in daily life (middle mind training is given up at the arahant state to lead to cessation; until then, middle mind training is useful). Regarding doubts, to become a noble person or an enlightened disciple of Buddha, rites and rituals, ceremonies, schools and traditions, external factors (gender, age, appearance, nationality etc.) are not relevant, but one’s level of gaining a deeper understanding of the stages of Nibbana (or attainment of Nibbana) and the extent of abandoning greed, hate and delusion is what applies. Given that Nibbana happens naturally shaped by Karma and merits, anyone anywhere practicing the teachings in a right manner will be able to gain fruition.