Extract: Buddhism in Daily Life Chapter 6
What is the meaning of the word Buddha? The Illustrator of Ultimate Meaning (the Paramatthajotika, a commentary to the Minor Readings, Khuddaka Nikaya) explains, in the commentary to the Three Refuges, the meaning of the word Buddha:
... and this is said, Buddha: in what sense Buddha? He is the discoverer (bujjhita) of the Truths, thus he is enlightened (Buddha). He is the enlightener (bodheta) of the generation, thus he is enlightened. He is enlightened by omniscience, enlightened by seeing all, enlightened without being led by others... he is quite without defilement, thus he is enlightened; he has travelled by the Path that goes in only one way, thus he is enlightened; he alone discovered the peerless complete enlightenment, thus he is enlightened; ... Buddha: this is not a name made by a mother, made by a father... this (name) Buddha, which signifies final liberation, is a realistic description of Enlightened Ones, Blessed Ones, together with their obtainment of omniscient knowledge at the root of an enlightenment (tree).The Buddha is the discoverer of the truth. What is the truth the Buddha discovered all by himself? He is enlightened by omniscience, enlightened by seeing all... the commentary to the Paramatthajotika says. He had developed the wisdom to see and to experience the truth of all things. Everything in life is impermanent and thus it is unsatisfactory. People suffer from old age, sickness and death. In spite of this truth people still cling to the things in and around themselves. Thus they are not able to see reality. The Buddha understood through direct experience that all phenomena which arise fall away immediately. He did not cling to anything at all.
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