Tathagata

Meaning

An epithet that the historical Buddha Gotama frequently used to refer to himself in the suttas. The use of third person emphasizes the impersonal nature and transcendence of the sense of self in one who has attained Nibbana.

In the tradition, this term came to be applied to all Buddhas.

Etymology

The origin is interpreted in two ways:

• tathā-āgata - “thus come”
• tathā-gata - “thus gone”

In either case, “tathā” is connected to the concept of suchness (tathatā) - direct seeing of reality “as it is.”

Doctrinal context

The Tathagata is “one who has realized the suchness of things and abides beyond conditioned existence, responding or resting in silence in accordance with this reality.”