Amidst the complexity of Buddhist teachings, we can discern a distinctive essence lying behind the various historical forms which developed to convey the Buddha's oral message. In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Parable of the Raft" Sangharakshita describes the essence of Buddhism: the parable of the raft and the advice to Mahaprajapati Gotami. Excerpted from the talk "The Nature and Development of Buddhism."