Who is Buddha?

There is a story told about the Buddha shortly after he was enlightened. As he was walking down the dusty road he met a traveller who saw him as a handsome yogi exuding a remarkable energy.

The traveller asked him, “You seem very special. What are you? Are you some kind of an Angel or Deva? You seem unhuman.”

“No,” Buddha said.

“Well, are you some kind of wizard or megician?” traveller asked.

“No,” Buddha replied.

“Well, are you a man?” traveller is now more curious.

“No,” Buddha replied with light smile.

“Then what are you?” tired and curious traveller is now littlebit frustrated.

At this the Buddha answered, “I am awake.”

In those three words – “I am awake” – he gave the whole of Buddist teachings.

The word “Buddha” means one who is awake. To be a Buddha is to be one who has awakened to the nature of life and death, and awakened and freed our compassion in the midst of this world.