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The coming, twenty-five hundred years ago, of Gautama 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 processes 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 or 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 is 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 the 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 discoverer 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, Nirvana.

Seven days after Buddha was born in the beautiful garden of Lumbini near Kapilavastu, his mother, Queen Maha Maya, died leaving him under the care of her sister Maha Pajapati Gotami. As was the vogue in those days, on the sixth day after his birth Brahman astrological experts were called to forecast his future, and it is said they prophesied that the child was destined to become either a universal monarch or an omniscient Buddha. The experts predicted that if the child witnessed the four signs of ill-old age, sickness, death, or a recluse--he would renounce the life of royal pomp and exchange it for the life of a homeless monk.

The king was, of course, anxious that his son should follow in his footsteps and therefore decided that the upbringing of the prince should be in keeping with the highest tradition of regal abundance, pleasure, and magnificence, and that he should be sheltered from seeing any of the four ills of life. Thus as the young prince grew up in the affluent surroundings of the palace he was slowly initiated into the various branches of learning, and since he was exceptionally intelligent he soon mastered the different arts and sciences in the highest traditions of his time. In addition to an aptness for knowledge he also manifested qualities rare and noble. He was extremely tender and kindly toward all beings and also tended to become contemplative and was often serious-minded.

There is a touching account of how the prince in his boyhood saved a swan from his cruel cousin Devadatta who had shot it down. As the beautiful white bird fell fluttering at his feet when he was playing with a playmate in the palace garden, he lifted the frightened creature and tenderly pulled out the arrow and rubbed some healing herbs on the wound. The bird lost its fear and became quite tame. After a time when the prince was going to release the bird, Devadatta the would-be killer demanded it and was promptly refused. Then in the full hearing of the court there ensued a lively debate as to who should get the bird, the killer or the savior. His superior pleading, it is said, won the hearts of all. Thus, even at that tender age and in spite of the rigid surroundings of the palace, he clearly and surely manifested the mission that was his and for which through long aeons he had been preparing himself. . .

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