What is the meaning of Buddha?

The Enlightened One

Siddhartha, who would later become known as the Buddha, was born as the son of a chief from the Sakya clan. His upbringing occurred within the confines of the palace, shielded from the harsh realities of the outside world. Curiosity led him to venture into the city one day, where he encountered profound distress upon witnessing the sight of an elderly person, a sick individual, and a lifeless corpse. This revelation made him realize the inevitability of human decay and death. Additionally, he encountered a contented mendicant who had seemingly made peace with the challenges of life. Inspired, Siddhartha resolved to adopt a similar path.

Leaving behind his opulent life, Siddhartha embarked on a quest for his own truth. He explored various paths, including extreme bodily mortification that nearly led to his demise. Abandoning these severe practices, he turned to meditation, which culminated in his enlightenment. From that point on, he was revered as the Buddha or the Enlightened One. Throughout the remainder of his life, he diligently taught the dhamma - the path of righteous living - to others.