What is Buddha's real name?
The name of Buddha : Siddhartha Gautama
Buddha is an honorary title given to the founder of the Buddhist religion, Siddhartha Gautama. This name is often translated as “the Awakened One” or “the Enlightened One”. Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 5th century BC in the Kapilavastu region, located in present-day Nepal.
Siddhartha Gautama was a prince by birth, but he chose to give up his life of comfort and wealth to devote himself to the search for truth and spiritual liberation. After many years of meditation and research, he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India. That's when he became Buddha.
The meaning of the name Buddha
The term “Buddha” can be translated in different ways, but it is essentially linked to the idea of awakening and spiritual liberation. Buddhism is based on the teaching of Buddhawho expounded the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to attaining enlightenment.
The name “Siddhartha Gautama” also has a special meaning. “Siddhārtha” means “one who has achieved his goal” or “one who has attained enlightenment”, while “Gautama” is the surname of the royal family to whom Siddhartha Gautama belonged.
So the full name of Buddha“Siddhartha Gautama“, symbolizes the achievement of awakening and the renunciation of material life.
Other names of Buddha
In addition to “Siddhartha Gautama“, Buddha is also known by other names in different Buddhist traditions. For example, in countries of Theravada tradition, Buddha is often called “Shakyamuni”, which means “sage of the Shakyas”, referring to the tribe to which he belonged.
In the Mahāyāna tradition, Buddha is often called “Amitābha” or “Amitāyus”, meaning “infinite light” or “infinite life”. These names emphasize the qualities of compassion and wisdom of Buddha.
It should be noted that these names do not denote different individuals, but rather are aspects of the person of Buddha representing different spiritual qualities and attributes.
The revelation of the real name of Buddha
It is important to note that the “real” name of Buddha is not a name that can be pronounced or understood by human beings. In Buddhist teachings it is said that Buddha can only be fully understood by those who have achieved enlightenment themselves.
The “real” name of Buddha is considered a symbol of the true nature of ultimate reality and goes beyond the limits of language and conceptual understanding. It can only be experienced through direct realization of the profound truth of existence.
The quest for the real name of Buddha
Despite the impossibility of knowing the “real” name of Buddha, many disciples and researchers have sought to unravel this mystery throughout the history of Buddhism. Some have claimed to have received special revelations regarding the secret name of Buddhabut these revelations have never been confirmed or accepted by the entire Buddhist community.
The quest for the real name of Buddha is often seen as an attempt to grasp the incomprehensible and make sense of the embodiment of the divine in human form. However, Buddhist teachings emphasize that ultimate truth cannot be found in names, forms, or concepts. Rather, it lies in the direct realization of the nature of mind and reality.
Thus, the question of the real name of Buddha remains a mystery and a source of spiritual questioning for many followers of Buddhism.
Conclusion
The real name of Buddha, Siddhartha Gautamasymbolizes his achievement of enlightenment and his renunciation of material life. Buddha is also known by other names in different Buddhist traditions, representing different spiritual qualities and attributes. However, the “real” name of Buddha, which transcends language and conceptual understanding, can only be fully understood by those who have achieved enlightenment themselves. Despite numerous quests and speculations, the search for the true name of Buddha remains an unfathomable mystery.
