Definition
Reading: Shakamuni / Reading (ZH): Shìjiāmóuní / Sanskrit: Śākyamuni
Shakamuni is the founder of Buddhism. In Indian thought, people also call Shakamuni "Buddha." The original meaning of "Buddha" is "a person who attained enlightenment."
Shakamuni was from the Shakya clan. His name was Gautama Siddhartha before he entered the priesthood.
Q&A
- Q: Why is Shakamuni called "Buddha"?
- A: Because he is not the only person who attained enlightenment. In Buddhism, people think that other people attained enlightenment before Shakamuni. Those people are also "Buddha." Therefore, Shakamuni is one of the Buddhas.
