Epithets of the Buddha

The Buddha is rarely referred to by his personal name (Siddhattha Gotama) in the texts. Instead, various titles are used to describe his qualities, achievements, and spiritual status.

1. The Buddha (Buddha)

• Meaning: "The Awakened One" or "The Enlightened One."

• Definition: Derived from the root budh (to wake up/to know). It signifies someone who has woken up from the sleep of ignorance and sees reality exactly as it is.

2. The Blessed One (Bhagavā)

• Meaning: "The Blessed One," "The Fortunate One," or "The Lord."

• Definition: This is the most common respectful address used by his disciples. It implies one who is possessed of good fortune, majesty, and spiritual power, and who has "broken" (bhag) the cycle of rebirth.

3. The Thus-Gone One (Tathāgata)

• Meaning: "The One Who Has Gone Thus" or "The One Who Has Come Thus."

• Definition: This is the term the Buddha used most often when referring to himself. It suggests an enigmatic state of being that is "neither here nor there"—someone who has gone beyond the dualities of the world to the "Truth" (Tatha), yet is still visible within the world.

4. The Worthy One (Arahant)

• Meaning: "The Worthy One" or "The Foe-Destroyer."

• Definition: Someone who is completely free from mental defilements (kilesas) and is worthy of the highest respect and offerings.

5. The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One (Sammā-Sambuddha)

• Meaning: "The Fully and Perfectly Enlightened One."

• Definition: Distinguishes the Buddha from other Arahants. While Arahants are enlightened by hearing the teaching, a Sammā-Sambuddha discovers the truth entirely on his own, without a teacher, and has the capacity to teach it to others.

6. The Well-Gone One (Sugata)

• Meaning: "The Well-Gone" or "The Happy One."

• Definition: Indicates that his path has been good, straight, and correct, leading to a state of supreme safety (Nibbāna) without falling back.

7. Knower of the Worlds (Lokavidū)

• Meaning: "Knower of the Cosmos."

• Definition: He understands the world in all its dimensions—the physical universe, the world of living beings, and the "world" of mental formations.

8. Unsurpassed Trainer of Persons (Anuttaro Purisa-damma-sārathi)

• Meaning: "The Incomparable Charioteer of Tamable Men."

• Definition: Uses the metaphor of a horse trainer. The Buddha knows exactly the right method (gentle, harsh, or mixed) to "tame" the minds of beings and guide them to civilization (enlightenment).

9. Teacher of Gods and Humans (Satthā Deva-manussānaṃ)

• Meaning: "The Teacher of Devas (Gods) and Men."

• Definition: His authority extends beyond humanity; even the gods (who are still trapped in samsara) come to him for instruction on how to be free.

10. The Sage of the Sakyas (Sakyamuni)

• Meaning: "The Silent Sage of the Sakya Clan."

• Definition: A title often used in Mahayana traditions or poetry, referring to his specific birth clan (the Sakyas) and his demeanor as a silent, contemplative sage (muni).

11. The Conqueror (Jina)

• Meaning: "The Victor."

• Definition: One who has conquered the armies of Mara (death/desire) not through violence, but through wisdom and virtue.