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 Gautama Buddha and Family of Gautama Buddha

• The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama
• Ambapali
• Ananda, Siddhartha's cousin, personal attendant of the Buddha and one of his chief disciples
• Anathapindika
• Angulimala
• Anuruddha
• Assaji
• Ajatasattu
• Bimbisara
• Channa
• Citta
• Cunda
• Devadatta, another cousin of Siddhartha and later rival who attempted to assassinate the Buddha
• Hatthaka of Alavi
• Maha Kaccana
• Khema
• Khujjuttara
• Kisa Gotami
• Kondañña
• Mahākāśyapa
• 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 Enlightenment
• Samavati
• 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 Buddhists (after Buddha)

• Aryadeva, foremost disciple of Nagarjuna, continued the philosophical school of Madhyamaka
• 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 Madhyamaka
• Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen/Chán
• Bodhiruci, patriarch of the Ti-Lun school
• Buddhabhadra, founding abbot and patriarch of the Shaolin temple
• Buddhaghosa, (Theravadin commentator)
• Buddhapalita, early expositor of the Prasangika Madhyamaka
• Chandragomin, renowned grammarian
• Chandrakirti, considered the greatest exponent of Prasangika Madhyamaka
• Dharmakirti, famed logician, author of the Seven Treatises; student of Dignana's student Ishvarasena; said to have debated famed Hindu scholar Shankara
• Dignaga, famed logician
• Kamalashila (8th century), author of important texts on meditation
• Luipa, one of the eighty-four tantric Mahasiddhas
• Nagarjuna, founder of the Madhyamaka 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) tradition
• Saraha, famed mahasiddha, forefather of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage
• Shantarakshita, abbot of Nalanda, founder of the Yogachara-Madhyamaka 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 teacher
• Vasubandhu, author of (1) the Abhidharmakosha and (2) various Yogacara treatises; these may or may not be the same person

Indo-Greek

• Dharmaraksita (3rd century BCE), Greek Buddhist missionary of Ashoka the Great, and a teacher of Nagasena.
• Mahadharmaraksita (2nd century BCE), Greek Buddhist master during the time of Menander.
• Nāgasena (2nd century BCE), Buddhist sage questioned about Buddhism by Milinda, the Indo-Greek king in the Milinda Pañha.

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 Kūkai in Sanskrit texts.

Chinese

• Baizhang Huaihai
• Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen in China
• Dahui Zonggao, 12th century koan master
• Dao Xin, fourth patriarch of Zen in China
• Daoji, a Buddhist monk revered as a deity in Taoism
• Fa Xian, translator and pilgrim
• Fazang
• Hong Yi, calligraphist, painter, master of seal carving
• Hongren, 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 translator
• Ingen, 17th century Chinese Zen monk, founder of the Ōbaku sect of Zen
• Jizang, founder of the Three Treatise School
• Jnanayasas, translator
• Linji, 9th century Chinese monk, founder of the Linji school of Zen
• Mazu, 8th century Zen master
• Mo-ho-yen, 8th century Chinese monk, advocate of “sudden” enlightenment
• Sanghapala, 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 sect
• Wumen Huikai, author of the Gateless Gate
• Xuanzang, brought Yogacara to China to found Faxiang school, significant pilgrim, translator
• Xueting Fuyu, 13th century Shaolin Temple abbot of the Caodong lineage
• Yunmen Wenyan, founder of one of the five Chán schools
• Zhaozhou, 9th century Chán master; noted for "Mu" koan
• Zhiyi, founder of the Tiantai school, also known by the name T'ien-t'ai.
• Zongmi, 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 philosophy
• Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, the first Jamgon Kongtrul
• Karsey Kongtrül, the second Jamgon Kongtrul
• Khungpo Nyaljor, founder of the Shangpa Kagyü lineage
• Longchenpa, one of the greatest Nyingma philosophers
• Mandarava, important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
• Marpa Lotsawa (Marpa the Translator, Marpa of Lhobrag), student of Naropa and a founder of the Kagyü lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
• Milarepa, foremost student of Marpa Lotsawa
• Padmasambhava, (Tib. Guru Rinponchee) Indian founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism
• Sakya Pandita, one of the greatest Sakya philosophers
• Taranatha, an important Jonang scholar
• Tsongkhapa, a 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 Yōtaku (1622–1693), 'Unborn' Zen
• Dogen 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)
• Hōnen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jōdō sect (Jodo-shu)
• Ikkyu
• Ippen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Ji sect (Ji-shu)
• Kūkai (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. 1839-1925
• Nichiren (founder of Nichiren Buddhism)
• Nikkō (founder of Nichiren Shoshu)
• Rōben (8th century Japanese monk, invited Simsang to Japan and founded the Kegon tradition, based upon the Korean Hwaeom school)
• Ryōkan (18th century Japanese Zen monk and poet)
• Saichō, 9th century Japanese monk, founded Tendai Buddhism in Japan, also known by the posthumous title Dengyo Daishi
• Shinran, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo Shin sect (Jodo Shinshu) and disciple of Hōnen
• Takuan Sōhō (Zen teacher, and, according to legend, mentor of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi)
• Yamamoto Gempo Zen Master (1866–1961)

Korean

• Gihwa (1376–1433) Korean Seon monk; wrote commentaries on the Diamond Sutra and Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment
• Jinul Korean Seon monk (1158–1210); founder of modern Korean gong'an meditation system
• Simsang (8th century Korean monk, who at the request of Rōben helped transmit Hwaeom to Japan, thereby founding the Japanese Kegon tradition)
• Uisang (7th century Korean monk, founder of Hwaeom tradition, based upon the Chinese Huayan school)
• Woncheuk
• Wonhyo (617-668) Korean monk; prolific commentator on Mahayana sutras

Burmese

• Shin Arahan, Primate of Pagan Kingdom, 1056–1115
• Ledi Sayadaw, propagator of vipassana meditation
• Mahasi Sayadaw, propagator of vipassana meditation
• Webu Sayadaw, propagator of vipassana meditation
• Ba Khin, propagator of vipassana meditation in the Ledi tradition

Thai

• Ajahn Buddhadasa
• Ajahn Chah
• Ajahn Maha Bua (Luang Ta Maha Bua)
• Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, Thai Buddhist monk who is credited with establishing the Thai Forest Tradition
• Ajahn Sao Kantasilo
• Phramonkolthepmuni (1885–1959) (Thai monk who founded the Dhammakaya Tradition)
• Somdej Toh (Thai monk specializing in magical amulets)

Historical rulers and political figures

• Anawrahta (1014–1077), founder of Pagan Empire, credited with introducing Theravada Buddhism in Pagan Kingdom and restarting Theravada Buddhism in Ceylon
• 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 (阿育王)
• Brhadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty
• Harshavardhana (606–648), Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism.
• Jayavarman VII (1181–1219), king of Cambodia
• Kanishka, ruler of the Kushan Empire
• Kublai Khan Mongol emperor
• Menander (Pali: Milinda), 2nd century BCE, an Indo-Greek king of northwestern India, who questioned Nāgasena about Buddhism in the Milinda Pañha, and is said to have become an arhat.
• Mindon (1808–1878), king of Myanmar and facilitator of "Fifth World Theravada Buddhist Council" or Fifth Sangayana
• Emperor Ming of Han China.
• Mongkut, king of Thailand and founder of the Thammayut Nikaya
• Shōtoku (574–622), crown prince and regent of Japan
• Theodorus (1st century BCE), Indo-Greek governor, author of a Buddhist dedication.
• Tony Jaa Martial Artist, became a buddhist monk May 28th, 2010.
• Empress Wu of Zhou China (625–705), the only female empress regnant in Chinese history
• Emperor Wu of Liang China (梁武帝) (502–549), Emperor during the Chinese Liang Dynasty
• King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC – 267 BC) of Sri Lanka

Modern teachers

Theravada teachers

• Ajahn Amaro (1956- )
• Ajahn Brahm (1951- )
• Ajahn Chah (1918–1992)
• Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta (1870–1949)
• Ajahn Munindo (1951- )
• Ajahn Sumedho (1934- )
• Ananda Maitreya (1896–1998)
• Ayya Khema (1923–1997)
• Ba Khin (1899–1971)
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (1944- )
• Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda (1961- )
• Bour Kry (1945- )
• Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993)
• Charles Henry Allan Bennett (1872–1923)
• Dipa Ma (1911–1989)
• Henepola Gunaratana (1927- )
• Ledi Sayadaw (1846–1923)
• Mahasi Sayadaw (1904–1982)
• Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu (1905–1960)
• Ñāṇavīra Thera (1920–1965)
• Preah Maha Ghosananda (1929–2007)
• S. N. Goenka (Born 1924)
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1949- )

Tibetan Buddhist teachers

• Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama (born 1935)
• Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930–2002)
• Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987)
• Dhardo Rimpoche (1917–1990)
• Dudjom Rinpoche (1904–1987)
• Kalu Rinpoche (1905–1989)
• Karma Thinley Rinpoche (b. 1931)
• Tsuglag Mawey Wangchuk (1912–1991)
• Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924–1981), the 16th Karmapa
• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, (1920–1996), Dzogchen, Mahamudra and the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa (Chokling Tersar).
• Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
• Trijang Rinpoche
• Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
• Gyaincain Norbu, the 11th Panchen Lama (controversial; born 1990)

Zen teachers

Japanese

• Soyen Shaku, Rōshi (1859–1919)
• D.T. Suzuki (1870–1966)
• Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961)
• Bassui Tokushō (1327–1387)
• Nyogen Senzaki, Rōshi (1876–1958)
• Katsube Keigaku
• Eido Tai Shimano (b. 1932)
• Genki Takabayashi (b. 1933)
• Kodo Sawaki (1880–1965)
• Gudo Wafu Nishijima (b. 1919)
• Haku'un Yasutani, Rōshi (1885–1973)
• Jakushitsu Genkō (1290–1367)
• Keido Fukushima
• Imakita Kosen (1816–1892)
• Sesshū Tōyō (1420–1506)
• Shodo Harada (b. 1940)
• Sesson Yūbai (1290–1348)
• Shunryu Suzuki, Rōshi (1904–1971)
• Muso Kokushi (1275–1351)
• Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982)
• Soko Morinaga, Rōshi (1925–1995)
• Dainin Katagiri (1928–1990)
• Taizan Maezumi (1931–1995)
• Soyu Matsuoka, Rōshi (?-1998)
• Oda Sesso (1901–1966)
• Soen Nakagawa (1907–1984)
• Yamada Koun (1907–1989)
• Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961)
• Sobin Yamada
• Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769)
• Bankei Yōtaku (1622–1693)
• Zenkei Shibayama (1894–1974)
• Kobun Chino Otogawa (1938–2002)
• Omori Sogen (1904–1994)

Chinese

• Hsu Yun (1840–1959)
• Hsuan Hua (1918–1995)
• Fayun (1933–2003)
• Shi Yan Ming (1964-)
• Nan Huai-Chin

Malaysian

• Chi Chern (1955- )

Taiwanese

• Guang Qin (廣欽) (1892–1986), the founder of Cheng Tian Temple (承天禪寺) in Taiwan
• Yin Shun (印順) (1906–2005), the great master helped bring forth of Humanistic Buddhism (人間佛教)
• Sheng-yen (聖嚴) (1931–2009), the founder of Dharma Drum Mountain (法鼓山) in Taiwan
• Cheng Yen (證嚴) (1937–), the founder of Tzu Chi Foundation (慈濟基金會) in Taiwan
• Hsing Yun (星雲) (1927-), the founder of Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) in Taiwan
• Wei Chueh (惟覺) (1928-), the founder of Chung Tai Shan (中台禪寺) in Taiwan

European

• John Crook (1930-2011)
• U Dhammaloka (?1856 - ?1914)
• John Garrie Roshi (1923–1998)
• Muho Noelke

American

• Adyashanti
• Anne Hopkins Aitken, (1911–1994)
• Bodhin Kjolhede, Rōshi (1948- )
• Brad Warner, Sensei (b. 1964)
• Jundo Cohen, (Just Jundo) (b. 1960)
• Cheri Huber
• Genjo Marinello (1954- )
• Issan Dorsey (1933–1990)
• Jakusho Kwong, Rōshi (1935- )
• Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924–1996)
• James Ishmael Ford, Rōshi (1948- )
• Jiyu Kennett, Rōshi (1924–1996)
• John Daido Loori, Rōshi (1931–2009)
• John Tarrant, Roshi (1949 - )
• Joko Beck (1917- )
• Paul Haller, Rōshi
• Philip Kapleau, Rōshi (1912–2004)
• Robert Baker Aitken, Rōshi (1917–2010 )
• Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes)
• Taigen Daniel Leighton (1950-)
• Tenshin Reb Anderson
• Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Rōshi
• Zentatsu Richard Baker, Rōshi
• Zoketsu Norman Fischer
• Heng Sure (1949-)
• Sherry Chayat (b. 1943)

Korean

• Samu Sunim (born 1941)
• Seung Sahn, Soen Sa (1927–2004)
• Seongcheol, Soen Sa (1912–1993)

Vietnamese

• Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-)
• Thich Chan Khong (1938-)
• Thich Thien An (1926–1980)

Modern authors who wrote about Buddhism

• Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) -Indian nationalist, jurist, scholar, political leader, Buddhist revivalist and architect of the Indian Constitution
• Tara Brach (1953- )
• John Crook (1930-2011) - a British ecologist, sociologist, and practitioner of both Ch'an and Tibetan Buddhism tradition.
• Josei Toda (1900-1958) - peace activist and second president of the Soka Gakkai.
• Joseph Goldstein
• Han Yong-un (1879–1944)
• Chittadhar Hridaya (1906–1982)
• 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 others
• Christmas Humphreys (1901–1983)
• Daisaku Ikeda (1928 - ) - a prolific writer of Nichiren Buddhism, society, peace and nuclear abolition, and President of the SGI.
• Jack Kornfield (1945 - ) - an American book writer, student of renowned forest monk Ajahn Chah, and teacher of Theravada Buddhism.
• Dennis Lingwood (1925 - )
• Edward Salim Michael (1921—2006)
• Nakamura Hajime (1911–1999)
• Nishida Kitaro (1870–1945)
• Gudo Wafu Nishijima (b. 1919)
• Nishitani Keiji (1900–1990)
• Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907)
• 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
• Taixu (1890–1947)
• Tanaka Chigaku (1861–1939)
• Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871-1944) - Japanese educator and founder of the Soka Gakkai.
• Robert Thurman (1941 - ) - an American author, editor and translator of books on Tibetan Buddhism, Je Tsongkhapa professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and co-founder and president of Tibet House U.S.
• Brad Warner (b. 1964)
• Alan Watts (1915–1973)
• Yin Shun (1906–2005)

Modern politicians, activists, and protesters

• Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Indian nationalist, jurist, scholar, political leader, Buddhist revivalist and architect of the Indian Constitution
• Aung San Suu Kyi
• Mazie Hirono, U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii^{[citation needed]}
• Thich Huyen Quang
• Hank Johnson, U.S. Congressman from Georgia^{[citation needed]}
• Thich Quang Do
• Thich Quang Duc
• U Thant, 3rd Secretary General of the United Nations
• Jiyul Sunim - Nun who fasted to stop destruction of Korean salamander lands

Buddhist practitioners notable in other fields

• Orlando Bloom, English actor (SGI Nichiren Buddhist)
• Kate Bosworth, American actress (SGI Nichiren Buddhist)
• Chow Yun-fat, Chinese actor
• Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer/songwriter/poet (Zen Buddhist)
• George Dvorsky, transhumanist futurist and one of directors of Humanity+. (Secular Buddhist)
• Richard Gere, American actor (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Allen Ginsberg, poet (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Herbie Hancock, American pianist and composer (SGI Nichiren Buddhist)
• Steve Jobs, American businessman and inventor (Zen Buddhist)
• k.d. lang, Canadian singer (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Jet Li, Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Courtney Love, American singer-songwriter (SGI Nichiren Buddhist)
• Kenneth Pai, Chinese-American writer
• Steven Seagal, American actor and aikido expert (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Oliver Stone, American film director
• Sharon Stone, American actress, producer, and former fashion model.
• Tina Turner, American singer-songwriter (SGI Nichiren Buddhist)
• Wong Ah Kiu – Malaysian of mixed Chinese and Malay descent
• Tiger Woods American golfer

Fictional Buddhists

• Kahn Souphanousinphone, character from the cartoon King of the Hill.
• Connie Souphanousinphone, character from the cartoon King of the Hill.
• Dale Cooper, protagonist of the television series Twin Peaks.
• Kyle Valenti, character from the television series Roswell.
• Kelly Kapoor, character from the show the The Office.
• Enigma (Marvel Comics), a Marvel Comics superheroine.
• Lisa Simpson, feminist and daughter of Homer and Marge Simpson
• Carl Carlson, character from the cartoon The Simpsons
• Lenny Leonard, character from the cartoon The Simpsons
• Liu Kang, character from the video game and later movie, Mortal Kombat
• 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
• 2D, lead singer and keyboardist of the British virtual band Gorillaz.
• Shi (comics), Crusade Comics' superheroine.
• Wolverine (comics), Marvel Comics' character and member of the X-Men.
• Batman (Bruce Wayne), DC Comics' character
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, anthropomorphic turtle-superheroes
• Master Splinter, a Zen sensei/teacher to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Hiro Nakamura, protagonist character in TV series Heroes
• Xorn (comics), Marvel Comics' character and member of the X-Men.
• Gi, the Planeteer able to wield the element water.
• Sailor Mars, one of the members of the Sailorscouts.
• Green Lama, an American pulp magazine hero.
• Edina Monsoon ( Eddy) from the Absolutely Fabulous TV sitcom.
• Jeremy, from the popular web series Pure Pwnage
• God, from the animated cartoon South Park
• Green Arrow (Connor Hawke), DC Comics' superhero.
• Sun Wukong, Monkey King in Chinese epic novel Journey to the West, and a fictional pupil of historical Chinese monk Xuanzang.

See also

• Buddhahood
• Outline of Buddhism