I am Buddha

There are basically two streams of thought. One that believes that it takes millions of years & lifetimes of sacrifice and self-evolution to attain Buddha-hood, to become a Buddha. That not all can aspire to become a Buddha in this very life time. That slowly but surely all can attain but only after perfecting themselves in all regards, becoming compassionate and equanimous, and merciful and fearless etc etc. The belief also goes that Gautama Buddha from his very birth was a perfected being -Siddhartha, the one who has already attained. So in all respects he was already ready to accept his buddhahood and teach the world. 

The other Stream of thought is all that can attain Buddhahood, and in this very life time itself if aspired. It does not need thousands of lifetimes and sacrifice and evolution. Enlightenement is the natural state and Buddhahood is nothing but waking up to this state, awakening. Gautama Buddha was said to be like all else, drowned in pleasures ad suffering from the pains of living. He was both virtous and vile. Both strong and fearful. Both loving and hateful, But he did not succumb to this tug of war with the mind and through intense practise and insight attained the Buddhahood. 

The second stream of thought gives us hope, that we too can attain, that we too can find peace and that we too can stop the suffering and the war within. So here Gautama is not just a historical figure but stands for the individual self who strives inspite of all the shortcomings for happiness for peace, strives to come back home.