TATHAGATA

(Sanskrit and Pali), one of the titles of a buddha and the one most frequently employed by the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, when referring to himself. The exact meaning of the word is uncertain; Buddhist commentaries present as many as eight explanations. The most generally adopted interpretation is one who has thus (tatha) gone (gata) or one who has thus (tatha) arrived (agata), implying that the historical Buddha was only one of many who have in the past and will in the future experience enlightenment and teach others how to achieve it. In later Mahayana Buddhism, Tathagata came to convey the essential buddha nature hidden in everyone. Tathagatha is the thusness that makes possible enlightenment. Having Tathagata within, one yearns for enlightenment. As the true state of all that exists, Tathagata is synonymous with ultimate reality, otherwise indefinable.