Photo submitted by Chan Wai Yee for Capturing Light Photo Contest
The word “Buddha” means “The Awakened (or Enlightened) One.”
A Buddha was previously a human being like us, but who had reached the highest peak of spiritual cultivation (Nirvana) through purification and mastery of the Mind, attaining the highest perfection possible by anyone. Having awakened to reality, He is one who has found True Happiness in realising the true nature of all things. With the attainment of Enlightenment (realisation of the Truth of all things), Compassion and Wisdom is perfected among other countless positive qualities. Having become a Buddha, one transcends the limitations of a human (and gender) and becomes much greater than a human, gaining ultimate peace and liberation.
“The Buddha” refers to the historical Shakyamuni Buddha who was born in Northern India (present day Nepal) more than 2,500 years ago (at about 623B.C.). He is regarded as the founder of Buddhism for our world.
The Buddha strongly promoted inter-religious harmony and peaceful missionary work.
何谓佛陀？
佛陀一词意即“觉悟者”。
佛陀在成佛之前也和我们一样是凡夫。他通过净化业障及心灵的修持才达到灵性上的最高层次（涅槃），并证得最圆满的境界。佛已了悟万物的实相，证得永恒的安乐。他通过证悟（了悟万物的实相），并聚集资粮来圆满慈悲与成就智慧。成佛之后，就可摆脱凡夫（与性别）的限制，超越一般人类，证得无上的平静与自在。
“佛陀”指的是历史上的释迦牟尼佛，他于两千多年前（大约公元前623年）诞生于印度北部（今天的尼泊尔）。他被视为人间佛教的创始人。