The historical Buddha Shakyamuni gave 84,000 teachings for people to reach enlightenment. His methods include meditation, the study of philosophy, psychology, skillful debate, and above all, the cultivation of a pure view in all situations. All Buddhist methods develop mind's inherent richness and clarity enabling people of varying interests and abilities to avoid suffering and find lasting happiness. In Buddhism, one distinguishes between three main "vehicles". They are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana or the Diamond Way.

Diamond Way or Vajrayana Buddhism is Buddha's ultimate teaching. By using methods with and without form, he initiated his students into the experience of their inherent Buddha nature. In Tibet, the Diamond Way was mainly transmitted through the "Red Hat" schools. Here, the teacher is the direct link to enlightenment, and is considered as important as the Buddha himself. The view is that all phenomena are inherently pure, and that enlightenment is our natural state. What makes Diamond Way unique is the variety of methods or "skillful means" to attain full enlightenment. The methods consist of the different levels of the Tantras, and of Mahamudra, The Great Seal. Through identification with one's own Buddha nature, both in meditation and in everyday life, realization unfolds effortlessly. Mind's potential expresses itself fully when there is no longer a separation between the perceiver, that which is perceived, and the perception itself.

Zen Buddhism is related to the Great Vehicle. In the practice of Zen, one simplifies one's life, sits for long periods of time in a non-distracted state, and ponders paradoxical questions known as "koans". These methods help to free mind from habitual intellectual tendencies and allow spontaneous insights to arise.

Mahayana or The Great Vehicle is especially for those living full lives in family and society. It holds vast teachings on Buddhist philosophy and psychology and aims for full enlightenment through the development of compassion and wisdom. One generates the bodhisattva attitude, the wish to benefit countless beings, and recognizes the inherent "emptiness" of all outer and inner phenomena. Since situations, thoughts and feelings change all the time, they are ultimately empty of any lasting reality.

Theravada Buddhism places great importance on calming and focusing the mind. The goal is liberation from all suffering, conditioned existence or "samsara". This occurs through realizing that the "self" is not of a lasting nature. Without this understanding, liberation cannot be reached. It emphasizes the avoidance of all harmful actions. This form of Buddhism took root predominantely in Southern Asia and prevailed largely in monastic communities. Today, it is practiced by lay people as well.

The Karma Kagyu Lineage is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a lineage of direct oral transmission and treasures meditation and view as a means to attain enlightenment. The Karma Kagyu methods originate from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and were given to his closest students. They were later passed on through the Indian Mahasiddhas, Tilopa, Naropa, Maitripa, and the famous Tibetan yogis Marpa and Milarepa. In the 12th century, Gampopa taught the first Gyalwa Karmapa, whose successive incarnations have kept these teachings powerful and vibrant over centuries.

The Gyalwa Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and is often called the Black Hat Lama of Tibet. The Karmapa was the first recognized reincarnation in Tibetan history and is revered for his spiritual power throughout Tibet. Second to the Karmapa is the Shamarpa, who is the lineage holder between Karmapa's incarnations. They are known as the Black Hat and Red Hat Karmapas and their minds are considered inseparable.

H.H. the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 and thus secured the survival of the Karma Kagyu lineage. With the help of his Western students, he brought the unique teachings about the nature of mind to the West. He is legendary for his exuberant joyfulness, profound insight, and powerful presence. Those who met him were known to be deeply touched and irrevocably changed.

The transmission of the lineage continues today with H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Thaye Dorje, who in 1994 at the age of ten, was recognized as a Karmapa by H.H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche. H.H. the 17th Karmapa currently resides in India where he continues his spiritual training and western education.