I recently finished listening to this series of lectures:
The Buddha’s teaching as it is, by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Its good to know the lingo and some important foundational concepts in Buddhism.
(Total running time about 13 hours).
Note on July 1st, 2009: There is no E=M*C-squared ‘ ism
I now regret using the word “Buddhism” above. Attaching a tag “ism” to Buddha’s teaching, i think, does great disservice to the teaching. Because, there is a danger that it is painted with the same brush as other ism’s — environmentalism, feminism, communism, capitalism, primitivism, hedonism,agnosticism etc etc.
One website defined “ism” as “representing a philosophical, political or moral doctrine or a belief system”. Agreed, many ism’s may have their validity in some relative sense, and Buddha’s teaching also may be considered a “philosophical system”, hence an “ism” too. However, it seems to me that Buddha’s teaching deserves to be referred as and elevated to the level of “scientific doctrine”.
In my novice intellectual understanding, following is the experiment that is central to the doctrine :
Tool: Observation. Sharp and focused observation.
Field of observation: Every aspect of body-mind complex. Every sensation that we normally regard as our own. That means, eventually, every physical sensation, every feeling, every thought, and every state of mind.
Method: Using laser beam like observation, observe each sensation and know it really really well.
Result: Well, the Buddha has apparently seen some result which he told everyone. One can see for oneself.
What beauty and simplicity ! Perhaps the most fruitful experiment a human will ever perform ?
All this brings up an interesting question — For a hypothesis to be regarded as “scientific” and “correct”, it should be verifiable by anyone through an experiment. But what if, as it is the case here, the verification is entirely subjective and personal. Who will verify the verifier ? 
. Wait .. that difficult process of bringing Buddhist ideas into ambit of science is perhaps underway through the likes of “Mind and Life Institute“.
