As I understand it, most Buddhists believe that people become awakened here and there, from time to time. They are called buddhas, as far as I know. I have the impression that Buddhist sects and individuals do not always agree on the details. I don't want to stir controversy needlessly. To the contrary, I'm interested to learn a consensus view, if there is one. If no consensus exists, Oh Well...
Don't be concerned about the sects. The essence of Buddha's teachings are important here, and we cannot understand Buddha's teachings through our own false thinking for Buddha has spoken from Enlightenment or True Consciousness/True Self. Only through faith in Buddha's teachings, practicing, and reading the original texts (in Pali or Sanskrit) without having any thinking or thoughts while reading. Only pure concentration.
-- How often does a buddha come along?
Another Buddha will appear in 560,000,000 years.
Another way to ask the same question as the previous one: How many Buddhas are likely alive today? None? A handful? Hundreds, or thousands?
Countless for sentient beings are countless.
Are Buddhas likely to be Buddhists? How likely is it that a buddha might be non-religious, atheist, Muslim, Christian, or whatever?
Yes, manifestation of Buddhas in different forms. If Buddha were to teach the pigs, he has to appear as a pig to teach.
In Sakyamuni Buddha's time, the population of the world was about 100 million. It's now 6.5 billion, 65 times as many people alive now as there were then. Is it reasonable to suppose that more buddhas live today?
Arhat is an enlightened being (generally monks), so is a Bodhisattva but these are not yet Buddhas. Only Bodhisattvas will become Buddhas. Arhats does not need to make vows and they are truly free.
I could ask the question in a more personal way... How likely am I to meet a buddha in my lifetime?
With diligent and sincere desire to become a Buddha yourself, you can ask Buddha for his guidance.
However, they are monks who are enlightened out there but they will not tell you if they are or are not.
So much confusion going on here.
My advice is to have a teacher preferably an elder monk.
