Buddha - the enlightened one

Historically, Buddha was a religious philosopher and teacher who lived in India around 563 B.C. and was the founder of Buddhism.

Buddha means the enlightened one. Buddha is also a title applied by Buddhists to someone regarded as embodying divine wisdom and virtue.

While the historical Buddha attained complete and supreme enlightenment under the famous Bodhi Tree near Gaya in India; anyone can become Buddha with practice and self-discipline.

Buddha is one without greed, anger and ignorance. One with human characteristic capabilities including these six super normal powers:

1. Divine eyes capable of seeing all
2. Divine ears capable of hearing all
3. Remembrance of one's former existence
4. Insight into others thinking
5. Spiritually based physical powers
6. Extinction of defilements (greed, anger and ignorance)

Buddha is one who saves all beings with a mind like infinite space and love like an ocean.

The sun itself is flawless whether it is being covered by a cloud or not. In order to see the sunlight one must learn how to remove the clouds. Gold ore itself is flawless. To bring out the gold, a refining process is required. Likewise, all sentient beings are basically already Buddha. In order to act as a complete Buddha, we must realize and cultivate our mind with meditative self-discipline.

In the words of the venerable Chung-Hwa:
"Let us light the lantern of compassion and wisdom in everyone뭩 hearts and minds".
"Let every corner of this universe shine".
"Let us offer a congratulatory celebration of the blessed event of blissful prescription for all beings' eternal happiness and infinite light".

Namu Amita Buddha!