It would be good, lord, if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief

This discourse to Mahāpajāpati Gotamī is one of the few teachings in the canon (along with the teachings on mindfulness) which the Buddha declared as “categorical”: always applicable and useful in any situation. This sutta gives, better than any other, the overall direction of the teachings, and is a helpful compass pointing towards the true way.