<p>Start keeping to the <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/pancasila.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">five precepts</a> and do <a href="https://www.sirimangalo.org/text/how-to-meditate/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Satipattana meditation</a> on a daily basis. Keep to <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/atthasila.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">8 precepts</a> on full moon days. Apart from that, study the Dhamma when you get free time. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T05:10:22.277Z
2017-12-21T05:10:22.277Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<ol>
<li><p>Systematically work to identify and let go of attachments to opinions and generalizations, especially ones that stir emotions.</p></li>
<li><p>Meditate. Just take a moment to sit down and sit, no need for instructions.</p></li>
<li><p>Read some Buddhist books and think about them. Try to see how they map to your day-to-day life.</p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T15:30:24.697Z
2017-12-21T15:30:24.697Z
Andriy Volkov
<p>To attain Nirvana, yes, discard the desire for Nirvana &amp; everything else, as the meditation master says from 4:32 in this video called '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu7mtlbVBOA" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ajahn Chah - Mindful Way</a>'.</p>

<p>Ideally, to practice to know or attain Nirvana, a person should live in a meditation monastery for a dedicated period of at least one year so they are free from worldly burdens. </p>

<p>To get closer to Nirvana, harmlessness is the most important action, particularly in relation to sex. If there is not Right View about sex, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances" rel="nofollow noreferrer">five hindrances</a> to Nirvana will be difficult to overcome.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T09:23:04.050Z
2017-12-21T09:23:04.050Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>As a complete beginner to Buddhism, what steps should I follow to get closer to enlightenment?</p>

<p>Should I study Buddhism and meditate or should I move to a monastery?</p>

<p>I know that to attain nirvana, one must discard the desire of nirvana.</p>

<p>But one must work towards it in one way or another.</p>

<p>So, what are the actions required for one to get closer to nirvana?</p>

<nirvana><enlightenment><monasticism><eightfold-path>
Pathway to Nirvana
# Pathway to Nirvana

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-12-21)

As a complete beginner to Buddhism, what steps should I follow to get closer to enlightenment?

Should I study Buddhism and meditate or should I move to a monastery?

I know that to attain nirvana, one must discard the desire of nirvana.

But one must work towards it in one way or another.

So, what are the actions required for one to get closer to nirvana?

**Tags:** nirvana, enlightenment, monasticism, eightfold-path


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-12-21. Score: 2

Start keeping to the [five precepts](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/pancasila.html) and do [Satipattana meditation](https://www.sirimangalo.org/text/how-to-meditate/) on a daily basis. Keep to [8 precepts](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sila/atthasila.html) on full moon days. Apart from that, study the Dhamma when you get free time.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-21. Score: 2

1. Systematically work to identify and let go of attachments to opinions and generalizations, especially ones that stir emotions.
2. Meditate. Just take a moment to sit down and sit, no need for instructions.
3. Read some Buddhist books and think about them. Try to see how they map to your day-to-day life.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2017-12-21. Score: 1

To attain Nirvana, yes, discard the desire for Nirvana & everything else, as the meditation master says from 4:32 in this video called '[Ajahn Chah - Mindful Way](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu7mtlbVBOA)'.

Ideally, to practice to know or attain Nirvana, a person should live in a meditation monastery for a dedicated period of at least one year so they are free from worldly burdens.

To get closer to Nirvana, harmlessness is the most important action, particularly in relation to sex. If there is not Right View about sex, the [five hindrances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances) to Nirvana will be difficult to overcome.


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