The Buddha may be the single most influential figure in human history, and also the most misunderstood, or misinterpreted. When he attained "Buddhahood," the course of history changed forever, but what did it mean when he announced to the world, "I Am Awake?" The legacy he left in his wake is one of the major religions of the world, know today as "Buddhism" but he did not teach a belief system, nor a philosophy, and not exactly a science. What he taught was how to deliver one's self and others from suffering through education, reflection, and meditation. Let's take a look at this magnanimous artist formerly known as Siddhartha, and what is means to be a Buddha. Part 1 of a two part series where we discuss the topic based on the Therevada perspective. In part 2 we'll answer this question from the Mahayana Buddhist perspective.