Buddha, derived from Sanskrit "the Awakened One," refers to beings in Buddhism who achieve Bodhi or "Enlightenment." It's an honorific for Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism. A Buddha attains purity of mind, perfect wisdom (Prajna), and compassion (Karuna) for all. They've realized Nirvana, escaping Samsara's cycle, though the human body remains mortal. This state is beyond description. Any being can achieve Buddhahood through practice, but it's rare. The next Buddha is Maitreya; past ones include Kashyapa, Kanakamuni, and Dipamkara. Tantric Buddhism has many Buddhas like the transcendent Adibuddhas.