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Usually Buddha ("Awakened One," from the root bodhi) refers to Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit; Pali:...

Usually Buddha ("Awakened One," from the root bodhi) refers to Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama), the historical founder of Buddhism, for this Buddha age, who adopted that title. He is sometimes referred to as Sakyamuni or The Buddha Gautama (Sanskrit; Pali: Buddha Gotama), in order to distinguish him from other Buddhas (cf. buddhahood, enlightenment, nirvana). For perspectives by other religions of Siddhārtha Gautama, see Buddha (other religions) and Buddha from the Hindu perspective. All forms of Buddhism acknowledge the existence of other Buddhas. The Pali canon recognizes twenty-eight Buddhas of the past, as well as Metteyya (Pali; Sanskrit: Maitreya), the Buddha who is yet to come. Mahāyāna tradition teaches the existence of Buddhas and bodhisattvas without number. An example of the former would be Amitabha.