Buddhist
|bud-ist|
/ˈbʊdɪst/
follower of or relating to the Buddha/Buddhism
Etymology
'Buddhist' originates from English formation based on 'Buddha' (from Sanskrit 'Buddha'), with the agent/relational suffix '-ist' meaning 'one associated with'. The element 'Buddha' comes from Sanskrit 'buddha' meaning 'awakened' or 'enlightened' (from the root 'budh-' 'to wake, to know').
'Buddha' entered European languages via Sanskrit and Pali (and through early travel accounts); the noun 'Buddhism' and the adjective/noun form 'Buddhist' were coined in modern European languages (e.g., English, French) in the 18th–19th centuries as Western scholars described the religion. Over time the English adjective/noun 'Buddhist' arose from these formations to refer to followers and things relating to the Buddha and his teachings.
Initially the root referred specifically to the 'awakened one' (the Buddha); over time the derived English forms came to mean both a person who follows that tradition ('Buddhist') and anything relating to that religion ('Buddhist' as an adjective).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who follows or practices Buddhism; an adherent of the teachings of the Buddha.
She is a Buddhist and visits the temple regularly.
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Noun 2
a person who studies or belongs to the Buddhist tradition (including monks, nuns, lay followers, and scholars of Buddhism).
Many Buddhists observe specific rituals during festivals.
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Adjective 1
relating to Buddhism or its teachings, practices, art, or culture.
The museum has a large collection of Buddhist art.
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Last updated: 2025/08/25 02:05