Two and a half thousand years ago, in norther India, the tradition we refer to as Buddhism was born. The new socio-religious movement spread rapidly in its early days and has become one of the most enduring and successful of such movements in history. It's older than Christianity or Islam and more international than Judaism, Hinduism, or Confucianism.
Why did the Practice and the Teaching spread so? Because of the depth of inspiration of its founder, the clarity of his message, and the personal and social implications of the Teaching.
Buddhism was an inspired protest against of the oppressive conservatism, the superstition, the greed, the racism, and the belligerence of the world into which it was born.
The word Buddha means "awakened one." Buddhism can therefore be said to mean "the way of awakening." You may call it a religion, a way of life, or a vision of human perfectibility. For twenty-five hundred years it has been a light for those who would live the better life and create a better world with resort neither to superstitious escapism on the one hand nor violent coercion on the other.
To be awakened, or enlightened as some say, is to be compassionate, tolerant, reasonable, moral and engaged in a life that benefits humankind and all life—that contributes to the emancipation of all sentient beings from avoidable stress and exploitation.
