The nine qualities (or virtues) of the Buddha are traditionally recited in Buddhist chanting and meditation as a way to reflect on the nature of the Awakened One. They are drawn from a famous verse in the Pali Canon (the core scriptures of Theravada Buddhism) that begins, "Iti pi so Bhagavā..."
Here are the nine qualities, presented with their Pali term and meaning:
| Pali Term | English Translation | Meaning |
| 1. Arahaṁ | The Worthy One/Accomplished | The Buddha has utterly destroyed all defilements (such as greed, hatred, and delusion) and is worthy of utmost veneration. |
| 2. Sammāsambuddho | The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One | The Buddha attained Supreme Enlightenment entirely on his own, without a teacher, having perfectly and fully understood the Four Noble Truths. |
| 3. Vijjācaraṇasampanno | Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct | The Buddha is endowed with both supreme wisdom (vijjā) and faultless ethical conduct (caraṇa). He practices what he preaches. |
| 4. Sugato | The Well-Gone/Sublime One | The Buddha has gone to the good destination (Nibbāna/Nirvana) and speaks what is beneficial, true, and welcome (or appropriate). |
| 5. Lokavidū | The Knower of the Worlds | The Buddha understands the true nature and conditionality of all worlds and realms of existence (physical, mental, and celestial). |
| 6. Anuttaro Purisadammasārathi | The Incomparable Leader of Persons to be Tamed | The Buddha is the unsurpassed master at guiding and training beings—including the most stubborn—toward spiritual liberation. |
| 7. Satthā Devamanussānaṁ | The Teacher of Gods and Men | The Buddha is the supreme spiritual teacher for all beings in the cosmos. |
| 8. Buddho | The Awakened/Enlightened One | The Buddha is fully awakened from the sleep of ignorance and knows the ultimate truth, enabling him to teach it to others. |
| 9. Bhagavā | The Blessed/Fortunate One | The Buddha is endowed with six special powers or fortunes (such as supremacy, fame, and perfect knowledge), making him the most sublime being. |
These qualities collectively define the ideal of a Buddha—a being who is fully perfected in wisdom, compassion, and conduct, and who serves as the ultimate guide for all who seek liberation from suffering.