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The article offers information on sunyata or emptiness. Experiencing sunyata reportedly results to true compassion. According to the article, the doctrine of emptiness is the essential teaching of Mahayana. Buddha spoke of sunyata and he said that all existent phenomena were empty of any self-existence.

The article discusses the life of Buddha and his followers. The first followers of Buddha are ascetics who saw him in the Deer Park after his enlightenment. According to the article, they became the nucleus of a community of sangha of men. The monks reportedly lived simply and only owned things that are essential for survival. Buddha travelled through the villages of India where he taught some of the villagers and when travelling was difficult, he and his followers practiced meditation, the author says.

The article offers information on the Noble Truth of the End of Suffering. The end of suffering is reportedly enlightenment or nirvana. According to the article, Buddha's teachings are a means to experience enlightenment not as a theoretical exercise but as direct experience. The article defines enlightenment as the total sense of freedom that comes from letting go of the concept of being an individual self.

The article offers information on the noble truth of suffering. This is reportedly the first of the Four Noble Truths in Buddha's teaching. According to the article, suffering or dukkha, implies impermanence, imperfection and unsatisfactoriness. Observations about practitioners of Buddhism include combining seriousness purpose with fun and enjoyment.

The article describes the transformation of Prince Siddharta Gautama to Buddha. He reportedly became Buddha also known as Sakyamuni, the sage of the Sakyas, after being away from the palace for six years. After his quest, he reportedly considered teaching but hesitated and felt that no one would want to hear about his experience.

The article presents the story of Padmasambhava as Crazy Wisdom. The principles of Vajrayana are explained particularly the use of a person's biggest failing as the seed of enlightened mind. The form of the "Crazy Wisdom" guru is described including its qualities. The significance of this form is explained as totally spontaneous.

The article offers information on the actions of a Bodhisattva. Characteristics of actions of a Bodhisattva include having vision and understanding that transcends that of centralized ego. The Bodhisattva reportedly communicates with the world with spontaneous compassion. According to the article, spontaneous compassion comes from removing conceptualizations from discriminating awareness or prajna.

The article discusses the death of Buddha. At 80 years old, he reportedly gathered his followers together in Kushinagara, when he was sensing that his death was approaching. His reminders to them include taking refuge in onself, the dharma and the teachings. Also described is the supposed reactions of the earth, moon and rivers to the death of Buddha.

The article reports that Western Buddhism is continuously developing and giving emphasis on community rather than monastery. Whatever shape is taken by Buddhism in the West, the heart of the teaching remains--the Four Noble Truths, the fact of suffering, its origin and cessation and the path of meditation.

The article focuses on Tantra's approach to pleasure and desire. The recognition of the powerful energy aroused by desire is presented as an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. The approach of Tantra to every experience is explained no matter how unreligious it may be. The teaching of Vajrayana on spiritual discipline is cited in relation to the experience of pleasure.

The article offers information on the two truths of reality according to the Mahayana schools. The Mahayana describes reality in terms of the two truth, relative and absolute. The two kinds of relative truths are perverted relative truth and pure relative truth. According to the article, absolute truth is emptiness and self-existence.

The article offers information on karma. Karma is reportedly an Eastern idea the literally means action. According to the article, for a Buddhist, every action, thought or word has consequences. The article also says that present circumstances depend on the result of past actions. Seeing the harm caused by selfishness helps people take personal responsibility to reduce suffering, the author says.

The article offers information on the path to attain enlightenment according to Buddha's teaching. The essence of Buddha's teaching is reportedly contained in the practice of meditation. According to the article, it requires commitment to follow the discipline wholeheartedly.

The article offers information on the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering. Suffering reportedly starts from bewilderment. According to the article, people base their perceptions on the idea of themselves as a permanent entity, also known as ego. The author believes that people suffer because they do not know who they are.

The article offers information on the Discourse on the Four Noble Truths. The discourse reportedly contains the essence of Buddha's early teaching. According to the article, the discourse is delivered in the Deer Park at Sarnath in Northern India to Buddha's first students.