The coming, twenty-five hundred years ago, of Gotama the Buddha was an epoch-making event in the history of Indian civilization and culture. He was the first historical figure to make a profound impression on the Indian mind, to challenge the thought process of all India. So great was his influence that even though Buddhism no longer exists as an organized religious institution in India his message and personality are still a living reality in the life of India and will long continue to be a source of strength. Indeed, it was the Buddha's role to recast and revitalize for mankind a way of life which can be applied universally, regardless of time or place prevailing culture.
The term Buddha means an Enlightened One. It is not a proper name but an honorary title applied to one who has reached the very peak of transcendental wisdom through the practice of the ten great spiritual Perfections in numberless births during an incomprehensible length of time. A Buddha is not a person but rather a personality evolved through the accumulation of spiritual qualities. The cumulative forces of virtues and perfections finally bring forth a Buddha, a superman, in the world. Although the Buddha is not a man in commonly accepted sense of the term, his humanity is so evident that he is and has been a true friend, philosopher, and guide for mankind. He is a way-finder, a discover of the Path of Deliverance which will free men from the ills of the continuing migration through endless series of rebirths.
There have been many Buddhas in the past and many more will follow in the future. As long as there are beings in need of emancipation from the bonds of this inexorable process of life and death, Buddhas will appear with their liberating Truth and will lead beings to deliverance, Nibbana(Nirvana).
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