The teachings of the Buddha contain clear and plain instructions for a mental development whose goal is the recognition of reality as it is. Of course reality is obvious and nothing is hidden, but an untrained mind will wander aimlessly and get caught up in all kinds of cravings, aversions, and imaginations. When reality and imagination collide, the result is suffering. Buddhist mental development trains the mind in such a way that it can perceive reality clearly, thereby liberating it from its mental fetters. This book introduces the reader to the basics of Buddhism with emphasis on fundamental concepts, Pali terminology, and meditation practice. Mental development is based on experiential knowledge, which can only be gained in meditation. This book provides enough background and instructions for beginning meditation practice and guiding the practitioner until mental development matures. The text is a technical manual rather than an inspirational book.

It is intended for people who already have decided to walk the path of the dhamma and look for concrete instructions. It may also be interesting to those who merely want to acquire a quick overview over Buddhist practice.