A buddha is a person who is enlightened to Universal Truth. “Buddha” is the title that Indian tradition gave to Shakyamuni. It is one who embodies these truths and as a result, gains complete freedom from all attachments, realizing the eternity of life. Based on this definition, Jesus, Krishna, and Mohammed would also be examples of buddhas. Shakyamuni taught in the Lotus Sutra that buddhas have appeared in the infinite past, exist in the present, and will appear in the future. Every buddha is manifested by the great life force of the Universe, or the “Eternal Buddha.” Their teachings are essentially the same, focusing on the great Truths of the Universe.
