“I am not the first Buddha who came upon Earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world – a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals.”
- 7th century BC to 5th century BC
- Indian
- Religious leader, thinker
- Founded Buddhism, taught people the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which showed the causes of suffering and how to resolve them, and spread the path of training aimed at inner liberation and enlightenment.
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Quote
“I am not the first Buddha who came upon Earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world – a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals.”
Explanation
This quote highlights the impermanence of the Buddha’s physical existence and emphasizes that the wisdom and enlightenment of a Buddha are not limited to a single individual or time period. Buddha acknowledges that while he is the Buddha in the current age, there will be other enlightened beings who will arise in the future to continue the cycle of teaching and guiding humanity toward liberation. This teaching underlines the idea that enlightenment and the qualities of a Buddha are not bound to one specific person but are accessible through continuous spiritual evolution across different times and beings.
In modern life, this message serves as a reminder that spiritual growth is not confined to one teacher or figure. While historical figures like Buddha have provided a path, the potential for enlightenment exists in all beings, and new guides will always arise as humanity progresses. This speaks to the timeless nature of wisdom and the continuity of spiritual guidance across generations. For example, many individuals today find inspiration in modern-day teachers or philosophers who offer wisdom based on the core principles of Buddha’s teachings, showing that the journey to enlightenment continues with each new generation.
Historically, Buddha’s teachings emphasize the universal nature of enlightenment. While Buddha himself is an extraordinary figure, his message—that anyone can attain wisdom, compassion, and liberation—is not limited to his lifetime. The Buddha’s acknowledgment of future Buddhas reflects the eternal cycle of teaching and the perpetual presence of spiritual wisdom in the world. This idea also aligns with the Buddhist belief in the Metteya Buddha (future Buddha), who is prophesied to appear and continue the path to enlightenment for those living in the future.
