Overview: The teachings of The Buddha are not found in any one book, source or language, which makes studying Buddhism a seemingly daunting task for a newcomer. However, don't be overwhelmed, Buddhism is not meant to be eaten quickly like a sandwich, it has to be discovered gradually and savored slowly to really appreciate its wisdom. If you are looking for quick answers to the mysteries of life, you will not be able to grasp all that is presented. Buddhism is a lifelong pursuit which requires study, meditation, reflection to understand. And once you do, you will find that some of the most difficult questions have very simple answers, while some of the easiest questions have complex answers, and then there are some questions without any answers. And yet it will all make sense to you. The Lessons presented herein are presented as a brief and simplified explanation of each topic. As there are numerous sources on the internet and books which present deeper and more complex versions of them, it does not serve a purpose for this site to just rehash the same information. Instead, we hope to present the very important messages of the Buddha in an accessible way. It is completely acceptable to study in this manner and gradually dig deeper, as the Buddha taught that there are uncountable numbers of sentient beings, each at their own stages of development so the Buddha provides an equally many expedient means to reach each being. The teachings of the Buddha are collected in many Sutras, some several sentences short and some many books long. Some of the most read and followed include the Dhammapada, The Heart Sutra, The Diamond Sutra, The Lotus Sutra, and The Avantamsaka Sutra which are all discussed in this site.
"Come, O Kalamas, do not accept anything on mere hearsay (thinking I have heard it a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition (thinking it has been handed down for generations. Do not accept anything on the account of rumors (believing what other say without investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not believe anything by mere supposition. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the appearances. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable. Do not accept anything thinking that the speaker is respected by us. But when you know yourselves these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things when produced and undertaken conduce ruin, and sorrow- then do you indeed reject them. When you know of yourselves these things are moral, these things are blameless, when performed and undertaken, conduce to wellbeing and happiness-then do yo live and act accordingly."
~The Buddha*
*Narada Maha Thera. The Buddha and his Teachings
"Come, O Kalamas, do not accept anything on mere hearsay (thinking I have heard it a long time). Do not accept anything by mere tradition (thinking it has been handed down for generations. Do not accept anything on the account of rumors (believing what other say without investigation). Do not accept anything just because it accords with your scriptures. Do not believe anything by mere supposition. Do not accept anything by mere inference. Do not accept anything by merely considering the appearances. Do not accept anything merely because it agrees with your preconceived notions. Do not accept anything merely because it seems acceptable. Do not accept anything thinking that the speaker is respected by us. But when you know yourselves these things are immoral, these things are blameworthy, these things when produced and undertaken conduce ruin, and sorrow- then do you indeed reject them. When you know of yourselves these things are moral, these things are blameless, when performed and undertaken, conduce to wellbeing and happiness-then do yo live and act accordingly."
~The Buddha*
*Narada Maha Thera. The Buddha and his Teachings