Shakyamuni Buddha in his time taught three different types of disciples and gave numerous teachings tailored to different levels of mentality, all aimed at taming and developing the mind. The mind is often compared to an elephant. While it is wild and untamed it can be very destructive and do a great deal of harm. When fully-tamed it can be very useful to society. Similarly, our minds are very destructive when allowed to run wild. When properly trained and cultivated, we can achieve Enlightenment or Liberation.

-- Ling Rinpoche