Buddhas
In both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhas are those who have attained full enlightenment. Siddharta Guatama became "the Buddha" after his Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Theravada Buddhism recognizes only Gautama and the past Buddhas, but in Mahayana Buddhism, everyone has the potential to become a buddha; i.e., an "enlightened one."
Mahayana Buddhism thus includes belief in numerous "celestial Buddhas" who have attained enlightenment and now dwell in the heavens or the various Paradises. Because of their enlightened state, Buddhas are generally believed to be unapproachable, but there are still perceived benefits to venerating or meditating on them and their accomplishments. Celestial Buddhas,especially the Five Dhyani Buddhas, play a major role in the Tibetan and Tantric forms of Buddhism.
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The Buddhist figure named Hotei or Pu-Tai is better known as the jolly Laughing Buddha. In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One. He has become incorporated into Buddhist & Shinto culture and is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago. Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha), but due to his large protruding stomach and smile, he has also been designated the "Laughing Buddha."
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The veneration of Medicine Buddha, the Supreme Healer (Sangye Menla in Tibetan) is considered a powerful method not only for healing and increasing healing powers both for oneself and others, but also for overcoming the inner sickness of attachment, hatred, and ignorance. It is believed that meditating on the Medicine Buddha can help decrease physical and mental illness and suffering.
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The Five Dhyani Buddhas are a central feature of Tibetan Buddhist belief and imagery. They are often found in Tibetan mandalas and thangkas. Each Buddha is believed to be capable of overcoming a particular evil with a particular good, and each has a complete system of iconographic symbolism.
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