The teachings of the Buddha ('Dhamma') are not an end in themselves. They all serve one purpose: To carry us accross the ocean of Saṃsāra (Circle of Birth & Death) to the secure further shore of Nibbāna.Consequently, we're failing the purpose if we study Dhamma, but do not apply it in our life and meditation. The Dhamma should be used like a raft. It is a tool to help us to escape from suffering. Just building a perfect raft, or arguing who has the better raft, will not give us any benefit. We have to use the raft, launch it into the water, and make an effort to paddle across to the safe shore.The simile of the raft can be found in Majjima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses, #22 'Alagaddūpama Sutta'/'Simile of the Snake'.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive.