What is the real name of Buddha?
The name of Buddha: Siddhārtha Gautama
Buddha is an honorary title given to the founder of the Buddhist religion, Siddhārtha Gautama. This name is often translated as "the Awakened One" or "the Enlightened One". Siddhārtha Gautama was born in the 5th century BC in the Kapilavastu region, located in present-day Nepal.
Siddhārtha 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. It was at that moment that 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 Buddha, who expounded the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path to attain enlightenment.
The name “Siddhārtha 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 which Siddhārtha Gautama belonged.
Thus, the full name of Buddha, "Siddhārtha Gautama", symbolizes the achievement of enlightenment and renunciation of material life.
Other names of Buddha
In addition to "Siddhārtha 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 true 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 "true" 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 true name of Buddha
Despite the impossibility of knowing the "true" 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 Buddha, but these revelations have never been confirmed or accepted by the wider Buddhist community.
The quest for the true name of Buddha is often seen as an attempt to grasp the incomprehensible and to make sense of the incarnation 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 true name of Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, symbolizes 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 "true" 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.
