BUDDHA (enlightened one)
1. One who reaches enlightenment, and ultimately, nirvana.
2. Siddhartha Gautauma, or Sakyamuni (of the Sakya clan, (~500 BC). Sakyamuni rejected Hinduism. After trying extremes from indulgence to near starvation, he eventually found the “Middle Path.” The Buddha foretold that he would go into nirvana—non-existence—at his death and would no longer be available. Disciples were to stay connected to him through his relics. Though it’s generally accepted that Sakymuni was an atheist, in some texts he acknowledged the existence of celestial beings, such as Brahma and Mara: “Mara, the Evil One, on hearing the words of the Blessed Buddha, approached and said: ‘Be greeted, thou Holy One. Thou hast attained the highest bliss and it is time for thee to enter into the final Nirvana.’ Then Brahma Sahampati descended from the heavens and, having worshipped the Blessed One, said: ‘Alas! the world must perish, should the Holy One…decide not to teach the Dharma.’” (from the Pali Canon)
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