Friends,
Our goal is to reach one billion people. We work towards helping one billion people gain a solid understanding of Buddhism, and more importantly, become daily practitioners. One of the most wonderful features of the life-changing practices taught by the Buddha is they are secular enough to be practiced by anybody, whether or not they have a religion, and regardless of what their religion is.
Why one billion people? First of all, because the Buddha’s teachings are extremely effective at solving personal suffering, and we want to help one billion people with their suffering. But just as importantly, because one billion could be the tipping point. One billion people constitutes roughly 14% of humanity, and it may take as little as 10% of a population to create a tipping point. With as little as one billion practitioners, we can tip the world into goodness. The renewed rise of fascism, increasing conflict, and the resort to violence all around the world threaten civilized society, while the climate crisis threatens all lives. All the problems in the world are caused by greed, hatred, and delusion. The teachings of the Buddha are the antidote to greed, hatred, and delusion. Therefore, even with only one billion people practicing what the Buddha taught, we can begin to solve all the most serious problems in the world. We can begin to create the conditions for world peace.
That is why we do what we do.
For a start, Meng and Soryu will present the Buddhism for All series, featuring the essentials about Buddhism that everyone needs to know. The content here is approachable even to beginners, yet deep and comprehensive enough to illuminate the path to enlightenment. This content has been reviewed and vetted by great Buddhist masters and scholars, including Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi. The same content will be published in a book of the same name (in time for Christmas!). It has been personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Over the coming weeks, we will add roughly one post per day to the series, so check back daily for more content. Complementing the series, Angela will offer her reflections on each post and suggest journal prompts to help you reflect on it too. Don’t miss that.
In addition, we will be suggesting some resources to help you learn and practice meditation, and to discover teachers and community to connect with. Beyond that, we have a grand vision and exciting plans lined up. We invite you to join us on this journey together.
Welcome to Buddhism.net, my friends.
Chade-Meng Tan
On behalf of the Buddhism.net team
