The final honorific of the Buddha, Buddha-Bhagavat, carries profound significance.

The term Buddha means “the awakened one,” denoting someone who has fully awakened to the truth of reality. Bhagavat, however, has a range of meanings, including glorious, prosperous, holy, fortunate, divine, adorable, illustrious, happy, venerable, lordly, heavenly, and more.

When we reflect on these meanings, we can see that Bhagavat encapsulates the idea of infinite good qualities—qualities that align with the Ultimate Good and radiate happiness, joy, and even a sense of divinity. This doesn’t mean the Buddha is considered a god in Buddhism; rather, it reflects the awe and reverence he inspired in those who encountered him. His enlightenment, an incomprehensible state beyond greed, hatred, and ignorance, evoked a sense of mystery that many equated with holiness and divinity.

However, Buddhist teachings carefully distinguish the Buddha from notions of divinity. In Buddhist tradition, Bhagavat is often interpreted as “venerable,” emphasizing the Buddha’s extraordinary qualities as a teacher, his impeccable moral integrity, compassion, and boundless kindness. This interpretation directs our focus to his humanity and the practical wisdom he embodied, rather than to supernatural or divine attributes.

Finally, some may wonder why the Buddha has only ten honorifics and nothing more. The answer lies in the all-encompassing nature of Bhagavat. In ancient Indian languages, this term represents the entirety of goodness and happiness, embodying limitless virtues. Thus, this honorific beautifully concludes the list, signifying the infinite qualities of the Buddha.

After learning the ten honorifics of the Buddha, we can integrate them into our spiritual practice. This involves deeply contemplating each honorific and reflecting on what it represents or means to us personally. Such contemplation serves as a reminder of our ultimate goal as Buddhists: to attain Nirvana.

By reflecting on the ten honorifics, we become familiar with the qualities associated with Nirvana—qualities like compassion, wisdom, and purity. This practice can inspire a sense of confidence and purpose, empowering us to face life’s challenges with resilience and a positive attitude.

In Theravada tradition, we reflect on the 9 qualities without the word Tathagata. This practice involve chanting a popular salutation to Buddha and it starts with Itipisso…..

Once the contemplation is complete, we move on to the next stage of practice: meditating on the word Buddha (Sanskrit) or Buddho (Pali). In this phase, we set aside analytical thoughts and reflection. Instead, we focus our entire attention on the word itself, allowing it to become the sole object of our concentration.

The goal of this meditation is to quiet the mind, free it from distractions, and focus unwaveringly on the word Buddha. By doing so, we aim to cultivate deep states of concentration (Jhana), supported by devotion and faith.

This practice, known as “recalling the Buddha” or 念佛 (Nian Fo in Chinese, or Nembutsu in Japanese), is rooted in the Pali Canon tradition. It blends mindfulness and devotion, guiding practitioners toward inner stillness and spiritual insight.

May all beings be well and happy.