Xiuxing (Cultivation)
To enter the dharma, you must understand just what cultivation is and the correct sequence you must follow in learning Buddhism. You must fully understand impermanence, have a firm belief in the suffering and pain of samsara, have a mind that is determined to leave samsara (renunciation), make true vows, be diligent, follow certain precepts, master meditation (concentration) to achieve samadhi and thus gain wisdom, and generate true bodhicitta. These must all be mastered to progress, no matter which of the 84,000 dharma methods or paths you follow. Without this foundation any effort to learn any of the dharma methods--no matter how profound or effective they can be--will be of no use. The book H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III contains an excellent discourse ("What Is Cultivation?") by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu explaining how to aproach your cultivation. This web site provides an introduction to some of the basic concepts of Buddhism, but you should find a competent vajra master who can guide you on the quick path.