In order to attain buddhahood ourselves, we practice the Dharma teachings that come from the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion. Dharma is the path, the key method to dispel our confusion. The Buddha said, “Dharma is good at the beginning, good in the middle, and good at the end.” The same Dharma that we study right from the beginning, we practice until we achieve enlightenment. We shouldn’t think, “I’ve already learned this, I need something new.” The Buddha taught his monks, “The new monks who arrived today should study and practice the same as the monks of a hundred years old have been studying and practicing. Those who are one hundred years old should study and practice the same as the monks who arrived today.” Simply put the teaching is to avoid all nonvirtuous, unwholesome thoughts and deeds. Perfectly tame your mind this way. This is the core of the Buddha’s teaching.

-- Khenchen Konchok Gyaltsen Rinpoche