Intro to Buddhism
 

Narada Mahathera gives a short survey of basic Theravada Buddhist teachings:

http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud/nutshell/nshell00.htm

In the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) form of Buddhism, the path to becoming a great Bodhisattva (Enlightened Being), is taught. Here is a famous scripture about Earth Treasure Bodhisattva and how he became, over many lifetimes, one who helps all beings become wiser, more compassionate and full of power.

http://www.buddhasutra.com/files/ksitigarbha_sutra.htm

Avatamsaka Sutra
 

The mother of all Buddhas is the Avatamsaka Sutra. Translated as the Flower Adornment Sutra, it is huge in size and overflowing with wisdom, compassion & power.

Master Hua gave a nine-year commentary on it. Here are a few of his comments on this sutra: http://cttbusa.org/dharmatalks/fas.htm

Here is brief summary on all 39 chapters of the Avatamsaka Sutra: http://www.buddhistbooks.info/avatam/content.html

Three Principal Aspects of the Path
 

Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) a Tibetan bodhisattva give this simple, short, yet profound teaching on the 3 essential elements for the Path to Buddhahood.

Quote:

I bow down to the venerable spiritual masters. I will explain, as well as I am able, the essence of all the teachings of the conqueror, the path praised by the, conquerors and their spiritual heirs, the entrance for the fortunate ones who desire liberation. Listen with clear minds, you fortunate ones who direct your minds to the path pleasing to the Buddha and strive to make good use of leisure and opportunity without being attached to the joys of Cyclic existence. For you embodied beings bound by the craving for existence, without the pure determination to be free (renunciation) from the ocean of existence, there is no way for you to pacify the attractions to its pleasurable effects. Thus, from the outset seek to generate the determination to be free. By contemplating the leisure and endowments so difficult to find and the fleeting nature of your life, reverse the clinging to this life. By repeatedly contemplating the infallible effects of karma and the miseries of cyclic existence, reverse the clinging to future lives. By contemplating in this way, do not generate even for an instant the wish for the pleasures of cyclic existence. When you have, day and night unceasingly, the mind aspiring for liberation then you have generated the determination to be free. However, if your determination to be free is not sustained by the pure altruistic intention (bodhicitta), it does not become the cause for the perfect bliss of unsurpassed enlightenment. Therefore, the intelligent generate the supreme thought of enlightenment. Swept by the current of the four powerful rivers, tied by the strong bonds of karma which are so hard to undo, caught in the iron net of self-grasping egoism, completely enveloped by the darkness of ignorance, Born and reborn in boundless cyclic existence, unceasingly tormented by the three miseries - by thinking of all mother sentient beings in this condition, generate the supreme altruistic aspiration. Even if you meditate upon the determination to be free and the altruistic intention, without the wisdom realising the final nature (how things actually exist), you cannot cut the root of cyclic existence. Therefore, strive for the means to realise dependent arising (or emptiness). One who sees the infallible cause and effect of all phenomena in cyclic existence and beyond and destroys all false perceptions (of their inherent existence) has entered the path which pleases the Buddha. Appearances are infallible dependent arisings; emptiness is free of assertions (of inherent existence or non-existence). As long as these two understandings are seen as separate, one has not yet realised the intent of the Buddha. When these two realisations are simultaneous and concurrent, from the mere sight of infallible dependent arising comes definite knowledge which completely destroys all modes of mental grasping. At that time, the analysis of the profound view is complete. In addition, appearances clear away the extreme of (inherent) existence; emptiness clears away the extreme of non-existence. When you understand the arising of cause and effect from the viewpoint of emptiness, you are not captivated by either of the extreme views. In this way, when you have realised the exact points of the three principal aspects of the path, by depending on solitude, generate the power of joyous effort and quickly accomplish the final goal, my child!

Ending Suffering
 

Buddha taught many ways to end suffering or dissatisfaction. One of the best is the 4th Noble Truth, called the Eightfold Path. Nibbana (or Nirvana in Sanskrit) is the end of suffering.

http://www.buddhanet.net/budsas/ebud...l/nshell11.htm

Avatamsaka Sutra, ch. 17
 

The central purpose & practice in Mahayana is bodhicitta. Literally meaning "enlightened mind", it is an altruistic motivation to help all beings & oneself become Buddhas. It is the most powerful spiritual force for goodness known.

Here is an excerpt from a scripture:

Hi Skull,
Although some of the lists in Buddhism are overwhelming - I love most of it! It seems to be the only "religion" that
1. Encourages one to maintain one's religious roots (spirituality is based on what resonates, which is often based on what we grew up with) &
2. Involves the psychological searchings that are needed (I believe true psychology & spirituality are basically one & the same)

I recently read, "The Heart of Buddha's Teachings" by Thich Nhat Hanh, from which I'd like to share some notes & thoughts...
Suffering isN'T objective. Learning the cause of suffering can lessen burdens. Transform suffering by looking deeply for understanding & peace.
Impermanence & Nonself - we're ever changing - so not the same self.

Yes, there's a lot of suffering throughout the world, but if we don't know how to breathe, smile & live each moment fully, we won't be able to help anyone. To develop true love is to have love with understanding... practice looking & listening deeply. Even for those who have hurt us, when we really understand them, we can't help but love them.

Everyone has a seed (or potential) of anger, joy, etc. within... water those good ones so that the negative ones don't grow & cause more suffering.