WHAT IS A BUDDHA?
Any human being who has become awakened to the ultimate reality of life, can observe, feel and understand the true nature of all phenomena and helps other to attain enlightenment is a Buddha. The word was originally a common noun in India and implied the awakened one. However, in Buddhism, its meaning extends a bit to imply the one who is awakened to the ultimate truth of life. The Hinayana sect believes that a human being who has entered nirvana is a Buddha. In this state of nirvana, both body and mind merge together and get extinguished. For Mahayana Buddhists, a person becomes a Buddha after gaining victory over illusions through years of austere and meritorious practice. The years of practice helps him to achieve the thirty two features of a Buddha. Who Is Gautama Buddha Siddharta Gautama, the son of a Sakya chieftan, Suddhodhana, was born in Lumbini. He is regarded as the Supreme Buddha of our age and the historical founder of Buddhism. He is also known as Sakyamuni or Shakyamuni
