The book is a completely revised edition of the edition published in 1989. It is about the contribution of Buddhism to understanding and transforming society, and is written for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Socially engaged Buddhism is now more in need of constructive criticism than special pleading. The book is meant to engage with a world characterized by postmodernism, free market globalization and transnational terrorism. Buddhist social engagement necessarily requires a Buddhist understanding of history and society. Much of this book offers a Buddhist perspective on a range of urgent topics, rather than an explication of Buddhist doctrine. The author explores further at firsthand the important contribution Buddhism can make to understanding and transforming this complex and troubled world to build a vision of Buddhist social engagement.