It sometimes seems like Sila gets short shrift in the pragmatic dharma scene. Which is too bad. It's great stuff.
My first response is to ask: Why are you asking this? What is it
in you that you're struggling with? What is observing Sila provoking from you? I don't personally need to know your answers, but you should consider investigating them.
Sameer Regmi:
How strictly and diligently did you observe Sila (Morality) before the attainment?
Diligently and with curiosity and investigation.
Curiosity: What forms does my Sila take? Why do I accept these forms? What is the foundation of my Sila? Why? (for me I trace it back to non-harming...so when I have a question, I ask myself, is this harmful to myself, to others?) There is no moral authority to report back to or confess to. Sila is not about dogma.
Do you think strict Sila played significant role in your attainment?
What is "strict" to you? Why is this a concern? This word has oppressive and potentially self-aggressive qualities. Is there another way to think about "strict." What about words like, "lively," "investigative," "curious," "firm" ? In the same vein, do you feel oppressed by some precept? How do you understand the precepts?
Do you think it is very important for stream-entry and thereafter?
Yes. But there is no "formula" for this process of awakening. Sila is part of a continuum of practices for cultivating on-going engagement with your experience.
If Buddhism has something akin to a self, you might say it's our intention. Also who we "are" is more readily discovered/indicated by what we do. "You are what you do." (and that includes not-doing).
Sila is useful in strengthening mindfulness and self awareness. "What is going on in my that I feel compelled to have sex with my best friend's partner?" "What is going on with me that I feel compelled to take these office supplies from work?" "What's going on that I'm getting plastered every weekend? Or whatever....
Sila presents some challenges because of changing cultural and historical norms. For instance, Sila surrounding sexuality. Words like "immorality" are very culturally defined and confusing. If you take it down to the non-harming level, the answers should be clearer to you, plus you'll learn a lot about yourself just in thinking it over.
For some people, observing the precepts is very challenging. In some cases, "strict" observance of, for instance, not dwelling in intoxication, is very, very rough. But that observance is a game-changer.
However your sila fully manifests, for now, take it one day at a time. Investigate.
Sila is "the first training and last training." Why would someone say this? Don't underestimate the peace, happiness and contentment that can arise from well observed sila. Both in yourself and in the effect is has on the people around you.
If everyone in the world observed the five precepts, what a world it would be. But nevermind ideals...explore the reality of this in your life.