In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme of our age, "Buddha" meaning "awakened one" or "the enlightened one." The time of his birth and death are uncertain.
Gautama, also known as Sakyamuni ("Sage of the Sakyas"), is the primary figure in Buddhism, and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules are believed by Buddhists to have been summarized after his death and memorized by his followers. Various collections of teachings attributed to him were passed down by oral tradition, and first committed to writing about 400 years later.
He is also regarded as a god or prophet in other world religions, including Hinduism, Ahmadiyya and the Baha'i faith.