Buddhahood

Buddha (literally, "one who is awake") is a title which means Enlightened One or Awakened Person; an example that may be applied to anyone of such status. Technically, a Buddha (who is an Arahant) only comes to be after many aeons and is responsbile for rediscovering the Dharma when it has become lost or corrupt. Although He gains Awakening in His present life, an appearance such as a Buddha is quite rare. His enlightened followers cannot then be called Buddhas for they were guided by Buddha-Dharma but, nevertheless, are enlightened Arahants and winners of Nirvana able to guide others.

The Mahayana schools of Buddhism in particular may refer to many Buddhas and bodhisattvas (unenlightened beings bent on Enlightenment who vow to postpone Nirvana in order to assist others). Some recent Buddhist sects claim that all such Buddhas are actually aspects of one, the universe itself, and most Buddhist sects assert that any person may become a Buddha.

When used in English to refer to a specific person, Buddha refers to the first Buddha and founder of Buddhism, Gautama_Buddha.

Other notable Buddhas include:

• Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to come)