List of Buddhists
This is a list of notable Buddhists , encompassing all the major branches of the religion, and including interdenominational and eclectic Buddhist practitioners. This list includes both formal teachers of Buddhism, and people notable in other areas who are publicly Buddhist or who have espoused Buddhism.
Historical Buddhist thinkers and founders of schools
Individuals are grouped by nationality, except in cases where their influence was felt elsewhere. Gautama Buddha and his immediate disciples ('Buddhists') are listed separately from later Indian Buddhist thinkers, teachers and contemplatives.
Buddha's disciples and early Buddhists
See also: Disciples of the Buddha and Family of the Buddha
The Buddha , Siddhartha Gautama Ambapali Ananda , Siddhartha's cousin, personal attendant of the Buddha and one of his chief disciplesAnathapindika Angulimala Anuruddha Assaji Ajatasattu Bimbisara Channa Citta Cunda Devadatta , another cousin of Siddhartha and later rival who attempted to assassinate the BuddhaHatthaka of Alavi Maha Kaccana Khema Khujjuttara Kisa Gotami Kondańńa Mah?k??yapa Mahanama Mallika Maudgalyayana (Sanskrit , Moggallana Pali ), one of two chief disciples of the Buddha.Maya Devi Nanda Maha Pajapati Gotami Pasenadi Pindola Bharadvaja Punna Rahula , only child of Prince Siddhartha and Yashodhara before Siddhartha renounced and began his search for EnlightenmentSamavati Sariputta (Pali , Shariputra Sanskrit ), one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha.Subhuti Suddhodana Sundari Sunita Upali , foremost disciple in knowledge of the Vinaya .Uppalavanna Velukandakiya Visakha Yashodhara , wife of Prince Siddhartha before he renounced and began his search for Enlightenment
Later Indian Buddhists (after Buddha)
Aryadeva , foremost disciple of Nagarjuna, continued the philosophical school of Madhyamika Asanga , under of the Yogachara school , widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher (with Nagarjuna)Atisha , holder of the ?mind training ? (Tib. lojong ) teachings, considered an indirect founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism Bhavaviveka , early expositor of the Svatantrika Madhyamika Bodhidharma , the founder of Zen /Chán Bodhiruci , patriarch of the Ti-Lun schoolBuddhabhadra , founding abbot and patriarch of the Shaolin temple Buddhaghosa , (Theravadin commentator)Buddhapalita , early expositor of the Prasangika Madhyamika Chandragomin , renowned grammarianChandrakirti , considered the greatest exponent of Prasangika MadhyamikaDharmakirti , famed logician, author of the Seven Treatises ; student of Dignana's student Ishvarasena; said to have debated famed Hindu scholar Shankara Dignaga , famed logicianKamalashila (8th century), author of important texts on meditationLuipa , one of the eighty-four tantric Mahasiddha sNagarjuna , founder of the Madhyamika school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher (with Asanga)Nadapada , (Tib. Naropa ), Tilopa's primary disciple, teacher of Marpa the Translator and Khungpo Nyaljor Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche ) Indian founder of Tibetan Buddhism Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje ) Indian founder of Dzogchen (Total Perfection) traditionSaraha , famed mahasiddha, forefather of the Tibetan Kagyu lineageShantarakshita , abbot of Nalanda, founder of the Yogachara-Madhyamika who helped Padmasambhava establish Buddhism in Tibet Shantideva , (8th century) author of the Bodhisattvacaryavatra Talika , (Tilopa in Tibetan ), recipient of four separate transmissions from Nagarjuna , Nagpopa , Luipa , and Khandro Kalpa Zangmo ; Naropa 's teacherVasubandhu , author of (1) the Abhidharmakosha Yogacara treatises; these may or may not be the same person
Indo-Greek
Central Asian
An Shih Kao , a Parthian monk and the first known Buddhist missionary to China, in 148 CE.Dharmaraksa , a Yueh-Chih Buddhist monk, the first known translator of the Lotus Sutra into Chinese.Jnanagupta (561-592), a monk and translator from Gandhara , Pakistan .Kumarajiva (c. 401), a Kuchean monk, and one of the most important translators.Lokaksema , a Kushan monk, the first translator of Mahayana scriptures into Chinese, around 180 CE.Prajna (c. 810). A monk and translator from Kabul , who translated important texts into Chinese and educated the Japanese K?kai in Sanskrit texts.
Chinese
Baizhang Huaihai Bodhidharma , the first patriarch of Zen in China Dahui Zonggao , 12th century koan masterDao Xin , fourth patriarch of Zen in China Daoji , a Buddhist monk revered as a deity in Taoism Fa Xian , translator and pilgrimFazang Hong Yi , calligraphist, painter, master of seal carvingHongren , fifth patriarch of Zen in China Huangbo Xiyun , 9th century, teacher of Linji Huike , second patriarch of Zen in China Huineng , sixth and last patriarch of Zen in China Yi Jing , pilgrim and translatorIngen , 17th century Chinese Zen monk, founder of the ?baku sect of ZenJizang , founder of the Three Treatise School Jnanayasas , translatorJoshu , 9th century Chinese Zen monkLinji , 9th century Chinese monk, founder of the Linji school of ZenMazu , 8th century Zen master, teacher of Zhaozhou Mo-ho-yen , 8th century Chinese monk, advocate of ?sudden? enlightenmentSanghapala , 6th century monk (Mon-Khmer?) who translated many texts to Chinese Sengcan , third patriarch of Zen in China Shenxiu , Tang Dynasty, Patriarch of "Northern School" Zen sectWumen Huikai , author of the Gateless Gate Xuanzang , brought Yogacara to China to found Faxiang school, significant pilgrim, translatorYunmen Wenyan , founder of one of the five Chán schoolsZhaozhou , 9th century Chán master; noted for "Mu" koanZhiyi , founder of theTiantai schoolZongmi , fifth patriarch of Chinese Huayan school
Tibetan
Gampopa , a student of Jetsun Milarepa and founder of the Karma Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism Dolpopa founder of the Jonang school and the Shentong philosophyJamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye , the first Jamgon KongtrulKarsey Kongtrül , the second Jamgon KongtrulKhungpo Nyaljor , founder of the Shangpa Kagyü lineageLongchenpa one of the greatest Nyingma philosophersMandarava , important female student and consort of Padmasambhava Marpa (Marpa the Translator, Marpa of Lhobrag), student of Naropa and a founder of the Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism Milarepa , a foremost student of Marpa Lotsawa who is said to have achieved buddhahood in one lifetime Padmasambhava , (Tib. Guru Rinpoche ) Indian founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism Sakya Pandita one of the greatest Sakya philosophersTaranatha important Jonang scholarTsongkhapa (14th century Tibetan monk, founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism, based upon the Kadam tradition)Yeshe Tsogyal , important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
Japanese
Bankei Y?taku (1622-1693), 'Unborn' ZenDogen Zenji (founder of Soto Zen , based upon the Chinese Caodong tradition)Eisai (12th century Japanese monk, travelled to China and returned to found the Japanese Rinzai sect of Zen )Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769, Rinzai Zen )H?nen , founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo sect (Jodo-shu )Ikkyu Ippen , founder of the Japanese Pure Land Ji sect (Ji-shu )K?kai (9th century Japanese monk, founder of Shingon )Myoe (Japanese monk of the Shingon and Kegon schools, known for his propagation of the Mantra of Light)Nakahara Nantenbo , Toju Zenchu- Zen master and artist. 1839-1925Nichiren (founder of Nichiren Buddhism )Nikk? (founder of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism )R?ben (8th century Japanese monk, invited Simsang to Japan and founded the Kegon tradition, based upon the Korean Hwaeom school)Ry?kan (18th century Japanese Zen monk and poet)Saich? (9th century Japanese monk, founder of Tendai tradition, based upon the Chinese Tiantai school)Shinran , founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo Shin sect (Jodo Shinshu ) and disciple of H?nen Takuan S?h? (Zen teacher, and, according to legend, mentor of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi )Yamamoto Gempo Zen Master (1866-1961)
Korean
Burmese
Thai
Historical rulers and political figures
Anawrahta (1014-1077), founder of Pagan Empire , credited for the spread of Theravada Buddhism in Upper Burma Ashoka the Great (304?232 BC), Mauryan Emperor of ancient India , and the first Buddhist ruler to send Buddhist missionaries outside of India throughout the Old World (???)Brhadrata , the last ruler of the Mauryan dynastyHarshavardhana (606-648), Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism.Jayavarman VII (1181-1219), king of Cambodia Kanishka , ruler of the Kushan Empire Kublai Khan Mongol emperorMenander (Pali: Milinda), 2nd century BCE, an Indo-Greek king of northwestern India, who questioned N?gasena about Buddhism in the Milinda Pańha arhat .Mindon (1808?1878), king of Myanmar and facilitator of "Fifth World Theravada Buddhist Council " or Fifth SangayanaEmperor Ming of Han China.Mongkut , king of Thailand and founder of the Thammayut Nikaya Sh?toku (574-622), crown prince and regent of Japan Theodorus (1st century BCE), Indo-Greek governor, author of a Buddhist dedication.Empress Wu of Zhou China (625-705), the only female empress regnant in Chinese historyEmperor Wu of Liang China (???) (502-549), Emperor during the Chinese Liang Dynasty
Modern teachers
Zen teachersJapanese
Chinese
Malaysian
European
American
Anne Hopkins Aitken , (1911-1994)Bodhin Kjolhede , R?shi (1948- ) Brad Warner , Sensei (b. 1964)Jundo Cohen , (Just Jundo) (b. 1960) Cheri Huber Genjo Marinello (1954- ) Issan Dorsey (1933-1990)Jakusho Kwong , R?shi (1935- ) Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924-1996)James Ishmael Ford , R?shi (1948- ) Jiyu Kennett , R?shi (1924-1996) John Crook (1930- ) John Daido Loori , R?shi (1931?2009) John Tarrant , Roshi (1949 - ) Joko Beck (1917- ) Ming Zhen Shakya ReverendPaul Haller , R?shi Paul Lynch, Dochong , Jid? P?psanim (1957- )
Philip Kapleau , R?shi (1912-2004) Robert Baker Aitken , R?shi (1917- ) Sevan Ross , Sensei (1951- )Shi Yin Zhao Shakya (1957-2008)Sherry Chayat , (1943- ) Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes) Tenshin Reb Anderson Tetsugen Bernard Glassman , R?shi Zentatsu Richard Baker , R?shi Zoketsu Norman Fischer Ven. Heng Sure (1949-)
Korean
Vietnamese
Miscellaneous
Modern Buddhist authors
Hsuan Hua (1918-1995) - Tripitaka Master - Extensive English commentaries on the major Mahayana Sutras: Avatamsaka Sutra , Shurangama Sutra , Shurangama Mantra , Lotus Sutra , Diamond Sutra , and many othersVen. Sheng-yen (1930-2009) - a religious scholar, one of the most respected teachers of Chinese Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, and founder of spiritual and educational organization Dharma Drum Mountain .
Dr John Crook , Phd, DSC (1930- ) - a British ecologist , sociologist , and practitioner of both Ch'an and Tibetan Buddhism tradition.
Jack Kornfield (1945 - ) - an American book writer, student of renowned forest monk Ajahn Chah , and teacher of Theravada Buddhism .Joseph Goldstein Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) -Indian nationalist, jurist , scholar, political leader, Buddhist revivalist and architect of the Indian Constitution Tara Brach (1953- )Nakamura Hajime (1911-1999)Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945)Nishitani Keiji (1900-1990)Ven. Tai Xu (1890-1947)
Ven. Yin Shun (1906-2005)
Han Yong-un (1879-1944)Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907)Tanaka Chigaku (1861-1939)Chittadhar Hridaya (1906-1982)Alan Watts (1915-1973)Dennis Lingwood (1925 - )Gudo Wafu Nishijima (b. 1919)Brad Warner (b. 1964)Daisaku Ikeda (1928 - )Christmas Humphreys (1901?1983)
Modern politicians, activists, and protesters
Buddhist practitioner notable in other fields
Sri Lankabhimanya Sir Arthur C. Clarke , British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist [1]
Oliver Stone , American film director [2] Orlando Bloom , English actor[3] Kurt Cobain , American singer-songwriter [4] Leonard Cohen , Canadian singer/songwriter/poet [5] Richard Gere , American actor [6] Tina Turner , American singer-songwriterUma Thurman , American actress [7] [8] Miranda Kerr , Australian supermodel, one of Victoria's Secret Angels [9] Jet Li , Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor[10] [11] [12] Kate Hudson , American actressRussell Simmons , Entertainment and Fashion MogulDennis Weaver , American ActorAllen Ginsberg , poet [13] Jack Kerouac , American writerPhilip Glass , composer [14] [15] Phil Jackson , Basketball coach of the NBA 's Los Angeles Lakers k.d. lang , Canadian singer [16] [17] Courtney Love , American singer-songwriter [18] Alanis Morissette , Canadian singer-songwriter [19] Victor Pelevin , novelist[20] Keanu Reeves , American actor [21] Sting , English singer-songwriter, lead vocalist of The Police Thuy Trang (1973-2001), Vietnamese American Actress [22] Ellison Onizuka (1946-1986), American astronautTiger Woods American Golfer [23] Naomi Watts , British-Australian actress.[24] Sharon Stone , American actress, producer, and former fashion model.[25] Ming-Na Wen , Chinese American ActressSteve Jobs , CEO of Apple Inc.Steven Seagal , American actor and aikido expert Adam Yauch , American musician, director, producer, Beastie Boy Lucia Rijker , Dutch boxer , actress
Fictional Buddhists
Lisa Simpson , feminist and daughter of Homer and Marge Simpson[26] Carl Carlson , character from the cartoon The Simpsons [27] Lenny Leonard , character from the cartoon The Simpsons [28] Yoh Asakura , protagonist of the anime/manga Shaman King Trini Kwan , original Yellow Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.Wendy Wu , protagonist of the Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior Wolverine (comics) , Marvel Comics' character and member of the X-men.Xorn (comics) , Marvel Comics' character and member of the X-men.Gi , the Planeteer able to wield the element water.Edina Monsoon ( Eddy ) from the Absolutely Fabulous TV sitcom.Jeremy , from the popular web series Pure Pwnage God , from the animated cartoon South Park [29]
See also
References
de:Personen des Buddhismus
fr:Personnalités du bouddhisme
nl:Lijst van boeddhistische personen
pt:Anexo:Lista de budistas
Wikipedia | The above article is available under the GNU FDL. | Edit this article
Advertisement
Encyclopedia
top
