There are what are known as the three turnings of the Wheel of Dharma in Buddhism. The first turning is found in the Theravada tradition with teachings rooted in the Pali Canon. These teachings are said to be the first teachings the Buddha committed to writing and date back to a few centuries after the death of the Buddha. They focus on The Four Noble Truths and dependent origination. The second turning is known as the Mahayana teachings and focuses on emptiness and compassion as core teachings. The third turning of the wheel focuses on clear light nature of the mind and is found in the Vajrayana vehicle which is often associated with Tibetan Buddhism, though the geography of these teachings is not confined to Tibet or practiced only by Tibetans.

Once I was talking with a professor of religion who is also a Christian and the subject of conflict between sects came up. When I told him of some conflicts in the Buddhist world, he was surprised, “I thought just us Christians did that!”

Well, we aren’t going into the conflicts in this article. No ‘which is right, true or correct.’ Instead, just that the three exist and that the short paragraph at the start of this article is a very small and feeble gesture intended to acknowledge the three. All three turnings have many thousands of pages of texts and commentaries on texts. All three have living examples of people who have studied deeply and have profound realization.  

It is possible to view these three turnings as all being very valid Dharma teachings and that each will be a good home for some people. Some people; not all people. We are different and there are different schools of Buddhism. Wonderful! Our differences include temperament, life experience, intellectual and emotional inclinations and a whole lot more. There is also the factor of where a person lives and what is available down the block or across town.  

I came to Buddhism as an adult rather than being born into it. Because the first books I read were about Zen, which is a part of the second turning, Zen was the first form of teaching I sought. I read Zen books, stayed in Zen communities, did Zen retreats. I chose where I lived based on where I could be a part of a Zen community for a number of years.  

During those years, I was pretty convinced that “Zen was the true way.” I knew vaguely there were other schools of Buddhism, but Zen was my thing. Then making a living brought us to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there was no Zen community. There was no real Buddhist community for many years. We made some friends with interests in Buddhism, but there was no real community.

As Fort Wayne became a more diverse city, some Buddhist communities began to spring up - including the Sri Lankan temple near Hoagland. Pam and I started to attend, and I found teachings and practices that I had never encountered. There was an emphasis on The Four Noble Truths that I had not found in Zen. I read some of the Pali literature, the teachings of contemporary Theravada masters, talked with the monks at the Temple and made friends with people who identified with Theravada teachings. I found myself less and less identified as a “Zen guy” during this time and found an affinity with the Theravada teachings.

Then, Pam and I were going to Dayton for a weekend and on a whim I did a search for “Buddhism” in Dayton and found a place called Gar Drolma. There were teachings by Garchen Rinpoche coming up over the weekend we were visiting, and we went. Vajrayana Buddhism introduced me to a new world of teachings, just as Theravada had.

Now I identify as a Buddhist mutt. I most often study Vajrayana teachings, but continue to appreciate all of the teachings. While I believe an understanding of these three schools is important, I do not particularly recommend the same eclectic practice for others; it’s much better to find your home and go deep into that set of teachings. Maybe I will eventually get to that point and study from one school. For now, the way my heart and mind works is to try to get inspiration and guidance from all three.

And you? I don’t know. Maybe you will be this kind or that kind of Buddhist... Whichever kind, you should strive to be kind; kind to yourself and others and kind to each tradition. As the Dali Lama has said, “Be kind whenever possible. It’s always possible.” 

I’ve mentioned many times the way that Ajahn Thanissaro, a contemporary Theravada monk articulates progress on the path as “creating less suffering for yourself and others.” This seems a wonderful measure to always keep in mind. In the vast Buddhist world there are teachings that help us move toward kindness, love, compassion, wisdom and away from creating suffering for yourself and others. May each of you find a path that connects to your head and informs your heart. May each path take you to the goal the great Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh articulated: “We are here to awaken from the illusion of separateness.”

We are fortunate to have at IMFW an opportunity to learn from all three turnings. That is unique, Dharma siblings.

Join the IMFW Book Group for an exploration of the book "The World Exists to Set Us Free" by Larry Rosenberg. The first session will be September 15, 2026. Book Group meets monthly downstairs on the third Tuesday immediately following the dharma talk. Barb will attempt to keep meetings to one hour in length. Book Group will start as close to 7:00 PM as possible and end by 8:00 PM. Please purchase your own copy of the book. Barb asks that you have read the preface and the first chapter of the book so that the book group can begin discussion that first evening.

Anyone interested in participating in this study of the book, please sign up on the website. Barb asks that you sign up in order to receive any communication about this meeting. Barb will use your email information only to remind you of the assignment and the upcoming meeting. As always at IMFW, all courses are offered freely. Dana is gratefully accepted. This course is offered in-person only (no Zoom) at 2332 Sandpoint Road, Fort Wayne, IN. You can find the book on Amazon here or at Bookshop here.

Drew Consalvo, Guiding Teacher at Insight Meditation Fort Wayne, is offering an Introduction to Insight Meditation Class, beginning Monday, November 9, and continuing for four weeks. Drew’s teaching will be based upon the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as practiced in Theravada Buddhism.  

This four-week course will offer an introductory look at mindfulness of body and breath, feeling, mind, and phenomena. These classes may help you discover ways to benefit from a dedicated meditation practice and perhaps learn a bit more about Buddhist practice in general. 

These classes will be offered at Sangha House, 2332 Sand Point Road. Please join Drew every Monday, November 9 through November 30, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and learn about meditation from the Theravada tradition.  

To register, please fill out the form at https://www.imfw.org/intro-meditation
For further information, contact Drew Consalvo.

This is class is offered freely. Please consider donating to IMFW to help us continue to offer programs like this.

An Introduction to Buddhism will be offered this February, taught by IMFW teachers Pam and John Steinbach. This five week overview of Buddhism meets on five consecutive Mondays from 6:30 till 8:00 PM. Classes meet on February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1. All classes meet at IMFW (in person only, no Zoom). The intent is for all who participate to have a better understanding of Buddhism and gain some insight into how these teachings apply to daily life. John and Pam look forward to seeing where the discussions take us and plan to allow plenty of time for conversation. The class will address the Four Noble Truths including the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Marks of Existence, lists of the virtuous qualities, the Hindrances, and the different schools of Buddhism.

Classes will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Mondays, February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1. Dana (donation of generosity as you are able) is welcome and encouraged. You can sign up here.

Introductory classes are held quarterly at IMFW: Introduction to Buddhism is offered summer and winter, and Introduction to Insight Meditation is held in spring and fall.