Buddha

American  

[boo-duh, bood-uh] / ˈbu də, ˈbʊd ə /

noun

1. Also called Gautama.  Also called Butsu.  Also called Goutama Buddha.  Also called Goutama.  Also called Gautama Buddha,.  Prince Siddhāttha or Siddhartha, 566?–c480 b.c., Indian religious leader: founder of Buddhism.

2. any of a series of teachers in Buddhism, of whom Gautama was the last, who bring enlightenment and wisdom.

3. (sometimes lowercase) a person who has attained full prajna, or enlightenment; Arhat.

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buddha ¹ British  

/ ˈbʊdə /

noun

1. Buddhism (often capital) a person who has achieved a state of perfect enlightenment

2. an image or picture of the Buddha

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Buddha ² British  

/ ˈbʊdə /

noun

1. ?563–483 _bc , a title applied to Gautama Siddhartha, a nobleman and religious teacher of N India, regarded by his followers as the most recent rediscoverer of the path to enlightenment: the founder of Buddhism

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Etymology

Origin of Buddha

First recorded in 1675–85; from Sanskrit: “awakened” ( budh- “awaken, notice, understand” + -ta past participle suffix)

Compare meaning

How does buddha compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Bodhisattva vs. Buddha

Example Sentences

Sacred ancient gems linked to the Buddha were unveiled on Saturday in India for the first time since their colonial-era removal.

From Barron's

Physically he occupied a lot of space, more as time went on, and beginning perhaps with “Spinal Tap,” in which he played director Marty DiBergi, he transformed tonally into a sort of gentle Jewish Buddha.

From Los Angeles Times

The Buddha’s Belly team referred to her as “Aloha.”

From Los Angeles Times

A concrete Buddha used to gaze toward the horizon from its perch beneath a coral tree.

From Los Angeles Times

Buddha steps in, imprisoning Monkey under a mountain and forcing him to study sutras for 500 years.

From Los Angeles Times