Buddha facts for kids

Big Lord Buddha Statue, Lantau Island, HK

A Buddha is a very special and wise teacher in Buddhism. The word Buddha means "enlightened one" or "fully awakened one." It comes from ancient languages like Sanskrit and Pāli.

Sometimes, "the Buddha" refers to Siddhartha Gautama. He was the person who started Buddhism. People also call him "Shakyamuni Buddha." But the title "Buddha" can also mean anyone who has found enlightenment. If someone is very close to becoming a Buddha, they are called a bodhisattva.

What is a Buddha?

Buddhists believe there have been many Buddhas throughout history. The most recent famous one was Gautama Buddha. People who are on their way to becoming Buddhas are known as "bodhisattvas."

Buddhists believe that a Buddha is enlightened. This means they understand how to live a peaceful life. They know how to avoid suffering. It is said that a Buddha never argues. They only speak what is true and helpful. They do this out of kindness for everyone.

Some Buddhists pray to Buddhas. But Buddhas are not gods. Buddhas are like guides or teachers. They help people who are ready to listen. A Buddha is a human being who has "woken up." They see the world as it truly is. This special knowledge changes them completely. It helps them live a better life now and in the future. A Buddha can also help others find enlightenment.

There are special ideas that lead someone to enlightenment. These ideas are called the Dharma (in Sanskrit) or "Dhamma" (in Pāli). These words mean "the way" or "the truth." Anyone can become a Buddha, but it is very hard work. Gautama Buddha became enlightened under a peepal tree. This tree is now called the "bodhi" tree. It is in Bodhgaya, in what is now India.

Different Kinds of Buddhas

There are different types of Buddhas. One type is called a pratyekabuddha. These are also known as "silent Buddhas." These Buddhas reach enlightenment on their own. However, they do not teach others.

Another type is a samyaksambuddha. This is considered the best kind of Buddha. This is because they can teach all living beings. They share their wisdom with everyone.

Famous Buddhas from the Past

Buddhists believe that many Buddhas have lived in the past. They also believe many more will come in the future. Traditionally, seven Buddhas from the past are often named:

• Vipashyin Buddha
• Shikhin Buddha
• Vishvabhu Buddha
• Krakucchanda Buddha
• Kanakamuni Buddha
• Kashyapa Buddha
• Shakyamuni Buddha

The next Buddha to come will be named Maitreya.

What Makes a Buddha Special?

A Buddha is seen as a perfect person. Some traditions mention 32 special physical features of a Buddha. These features come from old stories. They are sometimes shown in art and statues. These marks show how special a Buddha is.

Related pages

• Siddhartha Gautama
• Bodhisattva
• Buddhism

Images for kids

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  Seated Buddha from Tapa Shotor monastery in Hadda, Afghanistan, 2nd century CE

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  Ancient kingdoms and cities of India during the time of the Buddha (c. 500 BCE)

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  Inscription "The illumination of the Blessed Sakamuni" (Brahmi script: 𑀪𑀕𑀯𑀢𑁄 𑀲𑀓𑀫𑀼𑀦𑀺𑀦𑁄 𑀩𑁄𑀥𑁄, Bhagavato Sakamunino Bodho) on a relief showing the "empty" Illumination Throne of the Buddha in the early Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. Bharhut, c. 100 BCE.

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  One of the earliest anthropomorphic representations of the Buddha, here surrounded by Brahma (left) and Śakra (right). Bimaran Casket, mid-1st century CE, British Museum.

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  The legendary Jataka collections depict the Buddha-to-be in a previous life prostrating before the past Buddha Dipankara, making a resolve to be a Buddha, and receiving a prediction of future Buddhahood.

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  The Lumbini pillar contains an inscription stating that this is the Buddha's birthplace

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  The "Great Departure" of Siddhartha Gautama, surrounded by a halo, he is accompanied by numerous guards and devata who have come to pay homage; Gandhara, Kushan period

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  Prince Siddhartha shaves his hair and becomes a śramaṇa. Borobudur, 8th century

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  The gilded "Emaciated Buddha statue" in Wat Suthat in Bangkok representing the stage of his asceticism

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  The Mahabodhi Tree at the Sri Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya

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  The Enlightenment Throne of the Buddha at Bodh Gaya, as recreated by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.

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  Miracle of the Buddha walking on the River Nairañjanā. The Buddha is not visible (aniconism), only represented by a path on the water, and his empty throne bottom right. Sanchi.

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  Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, India, site of the first teaching of the Buddha in which he taught the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples

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  The chief disciples of the Buddha, Mogallana (chief in psychic power) and Sariputta (chief in wisdom).

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  The remains of a section of Jetavana Monastery, just outside of ancient Savatthi, in Uttar Pradesh.

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  Mahāprajāpatī, the first bhikkuni and Buddha's stepmother, ordains

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  Ajatashatru worships the Buddha, relief from the Bharhut Stupa at the Indian Museum, Kolkata

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  This East Javanese relief depicts the Buddha in his final days, and Ānanda, his chief attendant.

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  Mahaparinirvana, Gandhara, 3rd or 4th century CE, gray schist

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  Mahaparinibbana scene, from the Ajanta caves

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  Buddha's cremation stupa, Kushinagar (Kushinara).

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  Piprahwa vase with relics of the Buddha. The inscription reads: ...salilanidhane Budhasa Bhagavate... (Brahmi script: ...𑀲𑀮𑀺𑀮𑀦𑀺𑀥𑀸𑀦𑁂 𑀩𑀼𑀥𑀲 𑀪𑀕𑀯𑀢𑁂...) "Relics of the Buddha Lord".

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  The Bodhisattva meets with Alara Kalama, Borobudur relief.

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  Gandharan Buddhist birchbark scroll fragments

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  Buddha meets a Brahmin, at the Indian Museum, Kolkata

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  Schist Buddha statue with the famed Ye Dharma Hetu dhāraṇī around the head, which was used as a common summary of Dependent Origination. It states: "Of those experiences that arise from a cause, The Tathāgata has said: 'this is their cause, And this is their cessation': This is what the Great Śramaṇa teaches."

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  Gandharan sculpture depicting the Buddha in the full lotus seated meditation posture, 2nd-3rd century CE

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  Buddha Statues from Gal Vihara. The Early Buddhist texts also mention meditation practice while standing and lying down.

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  The Buddha on a coin of Kushan ruler Kanishka I, c. 130 CE.

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  Buddhist monks from Nepal. According to the earliest sources, the Buddha looked like a typical shaved man from northeast India.

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  Buddha depicted as the 9th avatar of god Vishnu in a traditional Hindu representation

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  Christ and Buddha by Paul Ranson, 1880

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  A Royal Couple Visits the Buddha, from railing of the Bharhut Stupa, Shunga dynasty, early 2nd century BC.

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  Adoration of the Diamond Throne and the Bodhi Tree, Bharhut.

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  Descent of the Buddha from the Trayastrimsa Heaven, Sanchi Stupa No. 1.

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  The Buddha's Miracle at Kapilavastu, Sanchi Stupa 1.

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  Bimbisara visiting the Buddha (represented as empty throne) at the Bamboo garden in Rajagriha

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  The great departure with riderless horse, Amaravati, 2nd century CE.

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  The Assault of Mara, Amaravati, 2nd century CE.

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  Isapur Buddha, one of the earliest physical depictions of the Buddha, c. 15 CE. Art of Mathura

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  The Buddha attended by Indra at Indrasala Cave, Mathura 50-100 CE.

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  Buddha Preaching in Tushita Heaven. Amaravati, Satavahana period, 2d century CE. Indian Museum, Calcutta.

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  Standing Buddha from Gandhara.

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  Kushan period Buddha Triad.

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  Buddha statue from Sanchi.

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  Birth of the Buddha, Kushan dynasty, late 2nd to early 3rd century CE.

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  The Infant Buddha Taking A Bath, Gandhara 2nd century CE.

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  6th century Gandharan Buddha.

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  Buddha at Cave No. 6, Ajanta Caves.

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  Standing Buddha, c. 5th Century CE.

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  Sarnath standing Buddha, 5th century CE.

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  Seated Buddha, Gupta period.

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  Seated Buddha at Gal Vihara, Sri Lanka.

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  Chinese Stele with Sakyamuni and Bodhisattvas, Wei period, 536 CE.

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  The Shakyamuni Daibutsu Bronze, c. 609, Nara, Japan.

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  Amaravati style Buddha of Srivijaya period, Palembang, Indonesia, 7th century.

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  Korean Seokguram Cave Buddha, c. 774 CE.

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  Seated Buddha Vairocana flanked by Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani of Mendut temple, Central Java, Indonesia, early 9th century.

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  Buddha in the exposed stupa of Borobudur mandala, Central Java, Indonesia, c. 825.

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  Vairocana Buddha of Srivijaya style, Southern Thailand, 9th century.

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  Seated Buddha, Japan, Heian period, 9th－10th century.

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  Cambodian Buddha with Mucalinda Nāga, c. 1100 CE, Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia

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  15th century Sukhothai Buddha.

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  15th century Sukhothai Walking Buddha.

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  Sakyamuni, Lao Tzu, and Confucius, c. from 1368 until 1644.

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  Chinese depiction of Shakyamuni, 1600.

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  Shakyamuni Buddha with Avadana Legend Scenes, Tibetan, 19th century

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  Golden Thai Buddha statue, Bodh Gaya.

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  Gautama statue, Shanyuan Temple, Liaoning Province, China.

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  Burmese style Buddha, Shwedagon pagoda, Yangon.

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  Large Gautama Buddha statue in Buddha Park of Ravangla.

See also

In Spanish: Buda Gautama para niños