The Buddha's teachings describe different paths and vehicles. On the other hand, they all lead to freedom from the suffering of samsara and ultimately lead to enlightenment. These are the teachings of the Mahayana, or Great Vehicle, which is the most profound of all. And as for these Mahayana teachings, numerous and vast, the essential meaning can be found in the heartfelt instructions of the great spiritual masters, in a condensed form that is easy to put into practice. The specific pith instructions explained here deal with bodhichitta - the motivation to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all others...Material from the Dharma Encyclopedia.