Buddhism is a vast and expansive religion created by traditions and cultures that stretch back 2500 years to the time of Shakyamuni buddha. If you wish to study it you could easily spend your life exploring its philosophy, history and its many teachings. But if you are someone who wants to get to the bottom of your suffering and extinguish it you have to be very careful you don't get lost in its perfusion of endless concepts. However attractive these teachings are you need to focus and find the central principle that unites them all, and that is creating a still, empty and silent mind. For it is from this experience can you truly begin the journey with all the techniques on offer to understand and go beyond your suffering. Without making this your primary focus your desire to be free that is the promise of all schools will not be fulfilled.