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Originally Posted by jonesboy

The Buddha had around 6 different teachers, mastering each system but found each one lacking.

It is when he realized the middle way that he became awakened.

The Buddha always said to test out what he said, he said that because he wants you to DO the practices... But he was very much a guru, setup a system of monks and told people to look to them for learning and guidance.

The 3 Jewels..

Take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings) and the Sangha (Buddhas and monks)...

Seems far from not needing a guru and to go it alone...

Going it alone is more like the blind leading the blind

Also, Theravāda uses empowerments as well :)

Have you got some reference for "6 different teachers"?

Buddha did choose to 'go it alone' after not finding what he wanted from the guru/teachers he initially studied with. He earned the title of Sammasambuddha having realized the Four Noble Truths and attained Nibbana, through his own enlightenment.

Samma-sam-buddha: 'Perfect Enlightenment', Universal Buddhahood, is the state attained by a Universal Buddha sammā-sambuddha i.e. one by whom the liberating law Dhamma which had become lost to the world, has again been discovered, realized and clearly proclaimed to the world.

A Samma-sam-buddha is not just an enlightened one, such as an arahant, but the one who rediscovers the teachings and teaches the masses, after the Dhamma has disappeared from the world.

Now, someone, in things never heard before, understands by himself the truth, and he therein attains omniscience, and gains mastery in the powers. Such a one is called a Universal Buddha, or Enlightened One.

https://dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=Samma-sambodhi