In Buddhism, a bodhisattva or bodhisatva is a person who is on the path towards bodhi ('awakening') or Buddhahood.
Probable early image of a bodhisattva (Bimaran casket, 50 CE)
Gandharan relief depicting the bodhisattva (future Gautama Buddha) taking a vow at the foot of Dipankara Buddha, Art Institute of Chicago
6th century painting of Maitreya, Kizil Caves, Cave 224
In Buddhism, Buddha, "awakened one", is a title for those who are spiritually awake or enlightened, and have thus attained the supreme religious goal of Buddhism, variously described as nirvana, awakening (bodhi) and liberation (vimutti). A Buddha is also someone who has fully understood the Dharma, the true nature of things or the universal law. Buddhahood is the condition and state of a buddha. This highest spiritual state of being is also termed sammā-sambodhi. This state is interpreted in many different ways in the various schools of Buddhism.
A painting of the primordial Buddha, Vajradhara, a figure of the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition
Seated Shakyamuni Buddha, Seokguram cave, Korea.
Shakyamuni Buddha demonstrating control over the fire and water elements. Gandhara, 3rd century CE.