noun
Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha
A respectful, somewhat familiar way to refer to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Often used in Buddhist contexts or when speaking about the Buddha with reverence.
See also: お釈迦様 (おしゃかさま)
お釈迦さんの教えは今も多くの人に影響を与えている。
The teachings of the Buddha still influence many people today.
お寺でお釈迦さんの像を拝んだ。
I prayed before a statue of the Buddha at the temple.
From お (honorific prefix) + 釈迦 (Shakyamuni, from Sanskrit Śākyamuni) + さん (honorific suffix). The reading しゃか for 釈迦 is a standard Sino-Japanese reading.