Hi Zachary,

Thanks for your clear, concise summary. I'd be interested to know what was your motivation is for writing this introductory piece.

Though I am no Buddhist Scholar or historian I am a practitioner (on and off since 1968) and thus am more or less able to recognize a well written summary of the path when I see one, ( as terrible as that may sound). The self referencing I mean...

Posts like yours help to spread the word. Just think if because of your effort just one person embarks upon the path, bravo!

For those interested there are of course many sources for information out there. A word of caution for new explorers: as with every 'new' thing that catches everyones attention there are the bad apples.

Just a couple of cautions for now: if it seems to good to be true, listen to your heart on this. For every good teacher out there there are several waiting patiently to take whatever they can from you. Beware of any teacher assuring you and or promising results 'right now'. Not going to happen. Meditation is a life long path and every one of us takes to it uniquely.

You can study the Dharma and not pay a penny.

I don't mean that you should go to a library and toil away amongst the countless books. Rather what I'm saying is that there are so many good, honest sources of teachings on the internet and they do not cost you a dime. Not a dime.

Obviously if you partake of the things good teachers offer keep in mind these true teacher, practitioners obtain much of their livelihood from dana, or the tradition of donating to a teacher. Similar one might say to offerings in church on Sunday. Yes and to avoid reactions I will quickly add that there are some fundamental differences between Dana and church offerings...

Two very highly considered, highly respectable sources for the Dharma, practical day to day instructionals as well as much deeper lectures are: Dharmaseed.com and Audiodharma.com.

At these two sites, the Wests top Buddhist teachers give talks and guided meditations which are priceless. These two sites are specific to the Buddhist branch called Theravada (from Southeast Asia). Other sites enter into the other branches that include Zen and what we could refer to as Tibetan Buddhism.

It makes sense to read about all branches of Buddhism before diving in, get a feel for what might fit you best. There is so much information out there, be careful that it doesnt take you forever to figure out what you most like! All the same: you can start in one branch and switch if you wish.

There are almost forty different branches of Buddhism today. The ones I mentioned predominate and are what are most common today.

Today there is a refreshing 'new' evolving approach in that teachers are discovering the value in offering a combination of the different teachings.

Thanks again Zachary