Buddha; the Buddha
Honorific term for the Buddha, used in religious contexts or when referring to Buddhist statues and images.
I prayed to the Buddha at the temple.
deceased person; the departed
Euphemistic and respectful way to refer to someone who has passed away, often used in Buddhist contexts or when speaking of the dead with reverence.
仏様は生前、とても優しい方でした。
The deceased was a very kind person in life.
仏様 is a more reverent, honorific way of saying 仏, used when praying to or speaking respectfully of the Buddha or the deceased.
Standard kanji spelling with honorific 様.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, softer in tone.
Compound of 仏 (hotoke, 'Buddha' or 'deceased person') and the honorific suffix 様 (sama). The reading hotoke is of uncertain origin, possibly from a native Japanese word or an early borrowing.