A Question About Progress

Question:

In order to make progress, we need to work hard, and fight for it. Buddhism seems to be too passive. Is the Buddha against progress?


Response:

First, you need to define 'progress'.

Is the destruction of the rain forest progress? You have to define what is and is not progress.

But to answer your question directly, Buddhism is not against progress. It's only against a kind of progress that enslaves others or oneself. It is against a progress that destroys instead of heals or builds or nurturers.

Progress is desirable when it is gained constructively. There is no progress if it enslaves or destroys. There is no progress is it is ruthless in the pursuit of its goals.