[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [弘明集](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102) › 1.7 # 弘明集 1.7 弘明集 1.7 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1.7) 問曰。何以正言佛。佛為何謂乎。牟子曰。佛者號諡也。猶名三皇神五帝聖也。佛乃道德之元祖。神明之宗緒。佛之言覺也。恍惚變化分身散體。或存或亡。能小能大。能圓能方。能老能少。能隱能彰。蹈火不燒。履刃不傷。在污不辱。在禍無殃。欲行則飛。坐則揚光。故號為佛也。 > Someone asked: 'Why is he properly called Buddha? What does "Buddha" mean?' Mouzi said: 'Buddha is an honorary title, just as the Three Sovereigns are called divine and the Five Emperors are called sage. The Buddha is the primal ancestor of Dao and virtue, and the ancestral source of divine brilliance. The word "Buddha" means "awakened." In vague and shifting transformation, he divides his body and disperses his form; now existing, now gone. He can be small or large, round or square, old or young, hidden or manifest. Treading into fire, he is not burned; stepping on blades, he is not harmed. In impurity, he is not disgraced; in misfortune, he suffers no calamity. Wishing to travel, he flies; sitting down, he radiates light. Therefore, he is titled Buddha.' > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1.6) - [Next: 1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1.8) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102~en-mt.1.7) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [佛祖歷代通載](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2036.5.47) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2102.1.7) · Pramāṇa