Rulai

Rulai is a term used in East Asian Buddhism to designate the Buddha. Derived from the Sanskrit term Tathāgata, the Chinese 如来 (Rúlái) literally means “Thus Come One” or “Thus Gone One.” It functions as a reverential title for the historical Buddha Shakyamuni as well as for other Buddhas within Mahayana cosmology, where it signifies the awakened, fully enlightened state.

In Buddhist liturgy and scriptures, Rulai is used to address or refer to the Buddha with respect and authority. The term appears across sutras, devotional texts, and temple rituals, embodying both a historical reference and a cosmological concept of Buddhahood. It is not a personal name but an honorific that conveys realization and ultimate truth.

Iconography and temple practice often associate Rulai with statues and images of the Buddha. Such depictions may vary by tradition but generally emphasize serenity, teaching, and compassion, sometimes featuring mudras that symbolize turning the Dharma wheel or offering protection.

Name usage and cultural presence are widespread in East Asia, where many temples and monasteries incorporate Rulai in their titles to honor the Buddha. The term also appears in translations of Buddhist literature and in scholarly writing as a standard epithet for Buddhas across Mahayana schools.