Somebody Became Buddha

It’s very moving to know that somebody in the past became Buddha. Twenty-five hundred years ago a guy called Siddhartha became Buddha. He actually did those things and made an enormous impact and impression on people–so enormous that we still continue to follow his way and share his ideas. It’s very powerful that somebody actually achieved enlightenment and went so far as to proclaim it, and to teach, and to share his life of eighty years with his students. He spoke; he taught; and he showed us how to behave, how to handle ourselves with other people. It’s an extremely powerful experience. Enlightenment is no longer a myth or concept, but something that actually did take place. It did happen–I think that is the basis of our conviction.