Fifty New Buddha Images

I'm pleased to share another 50 photographic images of the Buddha taken in Myanmar and more recently in Taiwan.
My personal favourite is this one. Please see all of them on the "Buddha Images" link above.

Happy Vesak 2014 (2558)

Dear friends of the Buddha,
I wish you well on this special day when Buddhists around the world celebrate three major events in the Buddha’s life: his birth, awakening, and parinibbāna.
Every blessing, Greg.

Photos taken at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Buddhist Monastery Singapore. 

How many types of Buddha are there? What are the pre-requisites for becoming these different types of Buddha?

There are three types of Buddha: Arahat Buddha, Pacceka Buddha, and Sammasambuddha.

All three are born human with the highest virtue and supernormal wisdom, they develop from being a Bodhisatta, develop spiritually over countless aeons, and are motivated by compassion.

The first is a disciple who perfects the Paramis over hundreds or thousands of lives, achieves the pre-requisites for becoming an enlightened being, meets the Buddha or a disciple, hears the teaching, grasps the teaching of the four Noble Truths and becomes an Arahat.

The second fulfils the 10 Paramis over two cycles, appears when the teachings are lost and beings are living in ignorance, becomes enlightened on their own, and lives in seclusion as a hermit.

The third fulfils the 10 Paramis over three cycles, becomes supremely enlightened by hearing and understanding the Dhamma from previous Buddhas, enlightens others and makes significant impacts on world history.

What is a 'Bodhisatta'? How many types are there? What are the requirements to become a 'Bodhisatta'?

The term ‘Bodhisatta’ (or 'Bodhisattva') means a would-be Buddha, or a future Buddha, in other words, someone with all the exalted spiritual perfections leading to supreme enlightenment, and destined to achieve Buddhahood. There are three types: those leading to Arahat Bodhi, those leading to Pacceka Bodhi, and those leading to Sammasambodhi.

In the case of all three types they must achieve enlightenment through emancipation and the liberation from worldly bonds. To become a Savaka Bodhi one sacrifices material possessions and their pleasures for the welfare of others. To become a Pacceka Bodhi, in addition to this, one sacrifices parts of the body for others. To become Samma Sambodhi one also sacrifices one’s life.

Why is he called ‘Buddha’? What are the pre-requisites for becoming a Buddha?

Siddhattha was predicted by astrologers of his time to be a future Buddha (or Bodhisatta). He is called ‘Buddha’ because he reached supreme enlightenment (Samma sambuddho) at the age of 35. 

The pre-requisites for becoming a Buddha are fulfilling the ten Paramis, meeting a Buddha or the disciple of a Buddha, hearing the teaching (of the four Noble Truths) from them, grasping the teaching and then sharing it with others out of compassion.

What is the meaning of the word "Buddha"?

The word ‘Buddha’ is not a personal name or title, but refers to the attainment of supreme enlightenment by an individual after a prolonged period of spiritual evolution during which the 10 exalted spiritual virtues (Paramis) are perfected. 
In the present aeon it refers to Bodhisatta Siddhattha who became the Buddha Gotama at the age of 35 years. 
Historically, we are also aware of 28 Buddhas of the past, and the future one who is called Lord Metteyya.

Is the word ‘Buddha’ a personal name or title, or does it stand for an office?

The word ‘Buddha’ is not a personal name or title, but refers to a state of enlightenment. In the case of an Arahat or a Samma sambuddho, it might also be considered an office to the extent that these types of enlightenment include the task of passing on the Dhamma to others (gods and men).

The Meaning of 'Buddha Vandana'

Buddha Vandana, or ‘worshipping the Buddha’ is one of the devotional practices performed daily by Buddhists. It is done as part of a reverential recollection of the Triple Gem, consisting of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. In this way, followers build their confidence in the Triple Gem. The Buddha encouraged such recitations in times of fear or disturbance so that these can be vanquished, since the Buddha is free from all kinds of defilements, like greed, anger and ignorance.
Buddha Vandana begins by recalling the supreme accomplishments of past, future and present sammasambuddhas. It then continues by making a statement that the Enlightened One is a person’s sole and supreme refuge, and that one wishes to attain enlightenment through taking refuge this way. It concludes by humbling oneself before the holy feet while asking for forgiveness of any transgressions, and stating one’s continued reliance on the Buddha until reaching enlightenment.