Buddhahood
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
Related e |
Featured: |
In Buddhism, Buddha is a title for someone who is awake, and has attained nirvana and Buddhahood through their own efforts and insight, without a teacher to point out the dharma (Sanskrit; Pali dhamma; "right way of living"). The title is most commonly used for Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who is often simply known as "the Buddha". Buddhahood is the condition and rank of a buddha "awakened one". This highest spiritual state of being is also termed Samyaksaṃbodhi (Full complete Awakening).
The title is also used for other beings who have achieved bodhi (awakening) and vimutti (release from clinging and craving), such as the other human Buddhas who achieved enlightenment before Gautama, the five celestial Buddhas worshiped primarily in Mahayana, and the bodhisattva named Maitreya, who will achieve enlightenment in the future and succeed Gautama Buddha as the supreme Buddha of the world.