Buddha: An eastern term meaning enlightened or awakened. The Buddha recognized by most westerners is Siddartha Gautama Buddha said to be the founder of the religion known as Buddhism or The Way or the Middle Way.

Certain sub-sects of Buddhism such as the Mahayana schools of thought may also recognize smaller or lesser buddhas such as the meditation buddhas or the human buddhas, etc.

Unlike Christianity, Buddhism maintains the belief in reincarnation. This theory advocates cycles of birth and rebirth... that we not only lived before in previous past lives but that we will live again. In simplistic terms, the goal in Buddhism is to attain to a state of perfection thereby ending or shortening the earthly suffering normally experienced through many incarnations. This is achieved through meditation or good works or until we become enlightened beings.