List of Buddhists

This is a list of notable Buddhists, encompassing all the major branches of the religion (i.e. in Buddhism), 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.

Philosophers 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

Buddha and his disciples; the world's tallest walking statue of the Buddha, in Kandy, Sri Lanka

See also: Disciples of Gautama Buddha and Family of Gautama Buddha

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

• The Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama

Clergy

• Ānanda, the Buddha's cousin, personal attendant of the Buddha and a chief disciple
• Aṅgulimāla, serial killer who attained to sainthood after renouncing wickedness
• Anuruddhā, one of the ten principal disciples
• Aśvajit, one of the first five disciples of the Buddha
• Bharika, one of the first five disciples of the Buddha
• Devadatta, another cousin of Siddhārtha and later rival who attempted to assassinate the Buddha
• Gavāṃpati
• Gayākāśyapa
• Kālodayin
• Kapphiṇa
• Kātyāyana, foremost in explaining the Dharma
• Kaundinya (also known as Kondañña or Ājñātakauṇḍinya), the first arhat and one of the first five disciples of the Buddha
• Khemā, a chief of the women disciples
• Kisā Gautamī
• Koṣṭhila
• Mahākāśyapa
• Mahākauṣṭhila, foremost in eloquence
• Mahānāman, one of the first five disciples of the Buddha
• Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī, Buddha's aunt and foster mother, as well as the first woman to be ordained
• Maudgalyāyana, one of two chief disciples of the Buddha
• Nanda, younger half-brother of the Buddha
• Nandika
• Nadīkāśyapa
• Paṭācārā
• Pilindavatsa
• Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja
• Pūrṇamaitrāyaṇīputra, one of the ten principal disciples
• Rāhula, son of Siddhārtha and Yasodharā
• Revata
• Śāriputra one of two chief disciples of the Buddha
• Subhūti, one of the ten principal disciples
• Śuddhipanthakena
• Suvāhu
• Sundarī Nandā, the Buddha's half-sister
• Sunīta, a low-caste man who reached enlightenment
• Upāli, foremost disciple in knowledge of the Vinaya
• Utpalavarṇā
• Uruvilvākāśyapa
• Vāgīśa
• Vakkula
• Vāṣpa, one of the first five disciples of the Buddha
• Yasodharā, Siddhārtha's wife before he renounced the palace life

Laity

• Āmrapālī, royal courtesan
• Anāthapiṇḍada, wealthy merchant and banker
• Ajātaśatru, king of Magadha, son of Bimbisāra
• Bimbisāra, king of Magadha
• Chandaka, prince Siddhārtha's charioteer
• Citra, wealthy merchant
• Cunda Karmāraputra, a smith who gave the Buddha his last meal
• Hastaka Āṭavika, saved by the Buddha from a demon
• Kubjottarā, a chief woman disciple and servant of Queen Śyāmāvatī
• Prasenajit, King of Kosala
• Śyāmāvatī, a queen of Kauśāmbī
• Śuddhodana, the Buddha's father
• Velukantakiyā
• Viśākhā, an aristocratic woman and chief female patron

Later Indian Buddhists (after Buddha)

• Aryadeva, foremost disciple of Nagarjuna, continued the philosophical school of Madhyamaka
• Asanga, founder of the Yogacara school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher along with Nagarjuna
• Aśvaghoṣa, Sarvāstivāda Buddhist philosopher, dramatist, poet and orator from India
• Atiśa, holder of the "mind training" teachings, considered an indirect founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism
• Bhāviveka, early expositor of the Svatantrika branch of the Madhyamaka school
• Bodhidharma, founder of Chan Buddhism
• Bodhiruci, patriarch of the Dilun (Chinese:地論) school
• Batuo, founding abbot and patriarch of the Shaolin Monastery
• Buddhaghosa, Theravadin commentator
• Buddhapālita, early expositor of the Prasaṅgika branch of the Madhyamaka school
• Chandragomin, renowned grammarian
• Candrakīrti, considered the greatest exponent of Prasaṅgika
• Dharmakirti, famed logician, author of the Seven Treatises; student of Dignāga's student, Īśvārasēna; said to have debated famed Hindu scholar Adi Shankara
• Dignāga, famed logician
• Garab Dorje, Indian founder of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) tradition
• Kamalaśīla (8th century), author of important texts on meditation
• Kumārajīva, Buddhist monk, scholar, missionary and translator from the Kingdom of Kucha, Central Asia
• 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
• Saraha, famed mahasiddha, forefather of the Kagyu lineage
• Śāntarakṣita, abbot of Nalanda, founder of the Yogacara who helped Padmasambhava establish Buddhism in Tibet
• Shantideva (8th century), author of the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
• Śīlabhadra, Buddhist monk and philosopher and erstwhile abbot of Nālandā university in India
• Tilopa, recipient of four separate transmissions from Nagarjuna, Nagpopa, Luipa, and Khandro Kalpa Zangmo; Naropa's teacher
• Vasubandhu, author of the Abhidharmakōśa and various Yogacara treatises; these may or may not be the same person

Indo-Greek

• Dharmaraksita (3rd century BCE), Greek Buddhist missionary sent by emperor Ashoka, and a teacher of the monk 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 Shigao, Parthian monk and the first known Buddhist missionary to China, in 148 CE
• Dharmarakṣa, Yuezhi monk, the first known translator of the Lotus Sutra into Chinese
• Jñānagupta (561–592), monk and translator from Gandhara, Pakistan
• Kumārajīva (c. 401), Kuchan monk and one of the most important translators
• Lokaksema, Kushan monk, first translator of Mahayana scriptures into Chinese, around 180 CE
• Prajñā (c. 810), monk and translator from Kabul, who translated important texts into Chinese and educated the Japanese Kūkai in Sanskrit texts

Chinese

• Baizhang Huaihai
• Bodhidharma, first patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Dahui Zonggao, 12th-century kōan master
• Daman Hongren, fifth patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Dayi Daoxin, fourth patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Dazu Huike, second patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Faxian, translator and pilgrim
• Fazang
• Guifeng Zongmi, fifth patriarch of the Huayan school
• Hong Yi, calligraphist, painter, master of seal carving
• Huangbo Xiyun, 9th-century teacher of Linji Yixuan
• Huineng, sixth and last patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Ingen, 17th-century Chinese Chan monk, founder of the Ōbaku sect of Zen
• Ji Gong, a Buddhist monk revered as a deity in Taoism
• Jizang, founder of East Asian Mādhyamaka
• Jnanayasas, translator
• Linji Yixuan, 9th-century Chinese monk, founder of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism
• Mazu Daoyi, 8th-century Chan master
• Moheyan, 8th-century Chinese monk, advocate of "sudden" enlightenment
• Sanghapala, 6th-century monk (Mon-Khmer?) who translated many texts to Chinese
• Sengcan, third patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China
• Wumen Huikai, author of the Gateless Gate
• Xuanzang, brought Yogacara to China to found the East Asian Yogācāra school; significant pilgrim, translator
• Xueting Fuyu, 13th-century Shaolin Monastery abbot of the Caodong school
• Yijing, pilgrim and translator
• Yunmen Wenyan, founder of one of the five schools of Chan Buddhism
• Yuquan Shenxiu, Tang dynasty, patriarch of "Northern School" sect of Chan Buddhism
• Zhaozhou, 9th-century Chan master; noted for "Mu" koan
• Zhiyi, founder of the Tiantai school

Tibetan

• Gampopa, student of Jetsun Milarepa and founder of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
• Jigten Sumgön, founder of Drikung Kagyu Lineage
• Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, founder of the Jonang school and advocate of the shentong philosophy
• Longchenpa, one of the greatest Nyingma philosophers
• Mandarava, important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
• Marpa Lotsawa, student of Naropa and a founder of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
• Milarepa, foremost student of Marpa Lotsawa
• Padmasambhava, Indian founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism
• Karmapa, the founder of Karma Kagyu or Kamtsang Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
• Jamgon Kongtrul
• Sakya Pandita, one of the greatest Sakya philosophers
• Taranatha, important Jonang scholar
• Je Tsongkhapa, 14th-century Tibetan monk, founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, based upon the Kadam
• Yeshe Tsogyal, important female student and consort of Padmasambhava
• Rongzom Mahapandita, important Nyingma scholar and meditation master of Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism

Japanese

• Bankei Yōtaku (1622–1693), Zen master of the Rinzai school
• Dōgen Zenji (1200–1253), founder of the Sōtō school of Zen, based upon the Caodong school
• Eisai (1141–1215), travelled to China and returned to found the Rinzai school of Zen]
• Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769), Rinzai school of Zen]
• Hōnen (1133–1212), founder of the Jōdo-shū school of Pure Land Buddhism
• Ikkyū (1374–1481), Zen Buddhist monk and poet
• Ippen (1234–1289), founder of the Ji-shū sect of Pure Land Buddhism
• Kūkai (774–835), founder of Shingon Buddhism
• Myōe (1173–1232), monk of Kegon and Shingon Buddhism, known for his propagation of the Mantra of Light
• Nakahara Nantenbō (1839–1925), Zen master and artist
• Nichiren (1222–1282), founder of Nichiren Buddhism
• Nikkō (1246–1333), founder of Nichiren Shōshū
• Rōben (689–773), invited Simsang to Japan and founded the Kegon tradition based upon the Korean Hwaeom school
• Ryōkan (1758–1831), Zen monk and poet
• Saichō (767–822), founded Tendai school in Japan, also known by the posthumous title Dengyō Daishi
• Shinran (1173–1263), founder of the Jōdo Shinshū school of Pure Land Buddhism and disciple of Hōnen
• Takuan Sōhō (1573–1645), Zen teacher, and, according to legend, mentor of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi
• Gempō Yamamoto (1866–1961), Zen master
• Shinjō Itō (1906–1989), founder of Shinnyo-en

Korean

See also: List of Korean Buddhists

• 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
• 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 Vipassanā
• Mahasi Sayadaw, propagator of Vipassanā
• Sayadaw U Tejaniya, propagator of Vipassanā
• Mogok Sayadaw, propagator of Vipassanā
• Webu Sayadaw, propagator of Vipassanā
• Panditarama Sayadaw, propagator of Vipassanā
• Mingun Sayadaw, first monk in Myanmar to be awarded the title of Tipitakadhara, meaning Keeper and Guardian of the Tipitaka
• Taunggwin Sayadaw, the last Buddhist monk to hold the office as Thathanabaing of Burma
• Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung Sayadaw, founder of Maha Bodhi Tahtaung
• Thamanya Sayadaw, best known for his doctrinal emphasis on metta
• Sunlun Sayadaw, a popular meditation teacher among the monks and Vipassanā meditation master
• Sitagu Sayadaw, founder and Supreme Head of the Sitagu Buddhist Academies
• Ashin Nandamalabhivamsa, rector of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
• Chanmyay Sayadaw, well-known monk and editor of the Buddhist Scriptures in Pali for reciting Buddhist scriptures at the Sixth Buddhist Council in Myanmar
• Taung Galay Sayadaw, Karen Theravadin Buddhist monk, and also known as a prolific writer and a historian
• Sayadaw U Narada, planted many thousands of Bodhi trees, built thousands of pagodas and Buddha statues
• Sayadaw U Pannavamsa, prominent Buddhist monk, known for his missionary work, particularly in Sri Lanka and Malaysia
• Ashin Sandadika, well-known monk
• Ba Khin, propagator of vipassana meditation in the Ledi tradition

Thai

• Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (1788–1872), monk who was the preceptor and teacher of King Rama IV
• Ajahn Sao Kantasīlo (1861–1941), one of the pioneers of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya, mentor of Ajahn Mun
• Ajahn Mun Bhūridatta (1870–1949), monk who established the Thai Forest Tradition or "Kammaṭṭhāna tradition"
• Khruba Siwichai (1878–1939), best known for the building of many temples during his time, his charismatic and personalistic character
• Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro (1884–1959), monk who founded the Dhammakaya Movement in the early 20th century
• Luang Pu Waen Suciṇṇo (1887–1985), first generation student of the Thai Forest Tradition
• Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Jinavajiralongkorn (1897–1988), the 18th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
• Phra Ajaan Thate Desaransi (1902–1994), first generation student of the Thai Forest Tradition and one of the founding teachers of the lineage
• Buddhādasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993), famous and influential Thai ascetic-philosopher of the 20th century
• Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo (1907–1961), regarded as one of the great teacher and meditation master of the Thai Forest Tradition
• Ajahn Maha Bua (1913–2011), well-known monk in the Thai Forest Tradition
• Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Vajirañāṇasaṃvara (1913–2013), the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
• Ajahn Fuang Jotiko (1915–1986), student of Ajahn Lee, well-known monk in the Thai Forest Tradition
• Ajahn Chah (1918–1992), monk well known for his students from all over the world
• Ajahn Suwat Suvaco (1919–2002), student of Ajahn Funn and established four monasteries in the United States
• Phra Chanda Thawaro (1922–2012), student of Ajahn Mun, one of the best known Thai Buddhist monks of the late 20th and early 21st centuries
• Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana IX (1927–), the 20th and current Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, practitioner of the Thai Forest Tradition

Rulers and monarchs

• Anawrahta (1015–1078), founder of the Pagan Kingdom and credited with introducing Theravada Buddhism there and reintroducing it in Ceylon
• Ashoka (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)
• Brihadratha Maurya, last ruler of the Maurya Empire
• Bayinnaung Kyawhtin Nawrahta (1516-1581), king of the Toungoo Dynasty, assembled the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, viewed himself as the protector of Theravada Buddhism, and had long tried to promote and protect the religion in Ceylon, introduced more orthodox Theravada Buddhism to Upper Burma and the Shan states, prohibited all human and animal sacrifices throughout the kingdom
• Harsha (606–648), Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism
• Jayavarman VII (1181–1219), king of Cambodia
• Kanishka the Great, ruler of the Kushan Empire
• Kublai Khan, Mongol khagan and founder of the Yuan dynasty of China
• Hulagu Khan, Mongol ruler who conquered much of Southwest Asia, he converted to Buddhism on his deathbed, spending most of his life as a Nestorian Christian
• Menander I (Pali: Milinda), 2nd century BCE, a king of the Indo-Greek Kingdom of Northwestern India who questioned Nāgasena about Buddhism in the Milinda Pañha and is said to have become an arhat
• Mindon Min (1808–1878), penultimate King of Burma and facilitator of the Fifth Buddhist council
• Emperor Ming of Han
• Mongkut, king of Thailand and founder of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya
• Prince Shōtoku (574–622), mythologized crown prince and regent of Japan
• Theodorus (1st century BCE), Indo-Greek governor, author of a Buddhist dedication
• Wu Zetian (625–705), only female Empress Regnant in Chinese history
• Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝) (502–549)
• Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura (307 BCE–267 BCE), King of Anuradhapura
• Dutugamunu of Anuradhapura (161 BCE-131 BCE), King of Sri Lanka

Modern teachers

Theravada teachers

• Ajahn Amaro (1956–)
• Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993)
• Ajahn Brahm (1951–)
• Ajahn Candasiri (1947–)
• Ajahn Chah (1918–1992)
• Ajahn Jayasaro (1958–)
• Ajahn Khemadhammo (1944–)
• Ajahn Pasanno (1949–)
• Ajahn Sucitto (1949–)
• Ajahn Sumedho (1934–)
• Ajahn Sundara (1946–)
• Ajahn Viradhammo (1947–)
• Ayya Khema (1923–1997)
• Ba Khin (1899–1971)
• Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero (1896–1998)
• Bhante Sujato
• Bhikkhu Anālayo (1962–)
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (1944–)
• Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda (1961–)
• Bour Kry (1945–)
• Charles Henry Allan Bennett (1872–1923)
• Dipa Ma (1911–1989)
• Godwin Samararatne (1932–2000)
• Henepola Gunaratana (1927–)
• Jack Kornfield (1945–)
• K. Sri Dhammananda (1919–2006)
• Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana (1948–)
• Ledi Sayadaw (1846–1923)
• Luangpor Thong (1939–)
• Mahasi Sayadaw (1904–1982)
• Mun Bhuridatta (1870–1949)
• Mya Thwin (1925–2017)
• Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu (1905–1960)
• Nyānaponika Mahāthera (1901–1994)
• Nyānatiloka Mahāthera (1878–1957)
• Ñāṇavīra Thera (1920–1965)
• Phra Paisal Visalo
• Preah Maha Ghosananda (1929–2007)
• S. N. Goenka (1924–2013), non-sectarian Burmese-Indian teacher of Vipassanā meditation who was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2012
• Sharon Salzberg (1952–)
• Sujiva (1951–)
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1949–)
• Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu (1979–)
• In Thailand, Ajahn is mean monk teachers (Have to been a monk more 10-year)

For Theravada, Bhikkhu(male) and Bhikkhuni(female) mean monk in Pali (Theravada use Pali language for studying Tripitaka)

Tibetan Buddhist teachers

• Anagarika Govinda (1898–1985)
• B. Alan Wallace (1950–)
• Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930–2002)
• Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987)
• Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (1951–)
• Dhardo Rimpoche (1917–1990)
• Dilgo Khyentse (1910–1991)
• Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (1904–1987)
• Gyaincain Norbu, the 11th Panchen Lama (controversial; born 1990)
• Kalu Rinpoche (1905–1989)
• Karma Thinley Rinpoche (1931–)
• Kelsang Gyatso
• Matthieu Ricard (1946–)
• Ole Nydahl (1941–)
• Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa (1924–1981)
• Sakyong Mipham
• 14th Dalai Lama (1935–)
• Tenzin Palmo (1943–)
• Thubten Yeshe (known as Lama Yeshe) (1935–1984), Tibetan lama who, while exiled in Nepal, co-founded Kopan Monastery (1969) and the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (1975). He followed the Gelug tradition.
• Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
• Trijang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso(1901–1981)
• Tsoknyi Rinpoche (1966–)
• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996), Dzogchen, Mahamudra and the Chokling Tersar
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (1975–)
• Gelek Rimpoche
• Tsem Tulku Rinpoche (1965–)
• Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
• Sakya Trizin
• Thubten Chodron
• Pema Chödrön
• Robina Courtin
• Robert Thurman
• Mark Epstein

Dzogchen and Bon Teachers

• Namkhai Norbu (1938–2018)
• Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (1961–)

Zen teachers

American

• Adyashanti
• Robert Baker Aitken (1917–2010)
• Anne Hopkins Aitken (1911–1994)
• Reb Anderson (1943–)
• Zentatsu Richard Baker (1936–)
• Joko Beck (1917–2011)
• Sherry Chayat (1943–)
• Issan Dorsey (1933–1990)
• Zoketsu Norman Fischer (1946–)
• James Ishmael Ford (1948–)
• Tetsugen Bernard Glassman (1939–2018)
• Paul Haller
• Cheri Huber (1944)
• Soenghyang (Barbara Rhodes, 1948–)
• Philip Kapleau (1912–2004)
• Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924–1996)
• Bodhin Kjolhede (1948–)
• Jakusho Kwong (1935–)
• Taigen Dan Leighton (1950–)
• John Daido Loori (1931–2009)
• Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji (1954–)
• Heng Sure (1949–)
• Bonnie Myotai Treace (1956–)
• Brad Warner (1964–)

Chinese

• Fayun (1933–2003)
• Hsu Yun (1840–1959)
• Hsuan Hua (1918–1995)
• Nan Huai-Chin (1918–2012)

European

• John Crook (1930–2011)
• U Dhammaloka (1856?–1914?)
• John Garrie (1923–1998)
• Muhō Noelke (1968–)

Japanese

• Kōbun Chino Otogawa (1938–2002)
• Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982)
• Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769)
• Keido Fukushima
• Jakushitsu Genkō (1290–1367)
• Shodo Harada (1940–)
• Harada Daiun Sogaku (1871–1961)
• Dainin Katagiri (1928–1990)
• Musō Soseki (1275–1351)
• Imakita Kosen (1816–1892)
• Yamada Koun (1907–1989)
• Taizan Maezumi (1931–1995)
• Sōyū Matsuoka (?–1998)
• Sōkō Morinaga (1925–1995)
• Soen Nakagawa (1907–1984)
• Gudō Wafu Nishijima (1919–2014)
• Shōhaku Okumura
• Kōdō Sawaki (1880–1965)
• Nyogen Senzaki (1876–1958)
• Oda Sessō (1901–1966)
• Soyen Shaku (1859–1919)
• Zenkei Shibayama (1894–1974)
• Eido Tai Shimano (1932–2018)
• Omori Sogen (1904–1994)
• D. T. Suzuki (1870–1966)
• Shunryū Suzuki (1904–1971)
• Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji (1933–)
• Bassui Tokushō (1327–1387)
• Sesshū Tōyō (1420–1506)
• Sobin Yamada
• Hakuun Yasutani (1885–1973)
• Bankei Yōtaku (1622–1693)
• Sesson Yūbai (1290–1348)

Korean

• Seongcheol (1912–1993)
• Seungsahn (1927–2004)
• Pomnyun (1953–)

Malaysian

• Chi Chern (1955–)

Taiwanese

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

Vietnamese

• Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–)
• Thích Chân Không (1938–)
• Thích Thiên-Ân (1926–1980)
• Thích Thanh Từ (1924–)

Writers

• Nyanatiloka Mahathera, (1878–1957), translated several important Theravadin Pali texts into German, also wrote a Pali grammar, an anthology, and a Buddhist dictionary
• Nyanaponika Thera (1901–1994), co-founder of the Buddhist Publication Society, contemporary author of numerous seminal Theravada books
• Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu (1905–1960), is remembered for his reliable translations from the Pali into English, remarkable command of the Pali language and a wide knowledge of the canonical scriptures
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (1944–), second president of the Buddhist Publication Society and has edited and authored several publications grounded in the Theravada Buddhist tradition
• Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (1949–), known for his translations of almost 1000 Sutta in all and providing the majority of the sutta translations in a website known as "Access to Insight"
• Bhikkhu Analayo (1962–), known for his comparative studies of Early Buddhist Texts as preserved by the various early Buddhist traditions
• Buddhādasa Bhikkhu, his works literally take up an entire room in the National Library of Thailand, and inspired a group of Thai social activists and artists of the 20th century
• Jack Kornfield (1945–), American book writer, student of renowned forest monk Ajahn Chah, and teacher of Theravada Buddhism
• Joseph Goldstein (1944–), one of the first American Vipassana teachers, contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism
• Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda (1919–2006), Buddhist monk and scholar. in Malaysia, wrote approximately 60 Buddhist works, ranging from small pamphlets to texts of over 700 pages
• Achan Sobin S. Namto (1931–), taught Vipassana meditation and Buddhist psychology in Southeast Asia and North America for over 50 years
• Phra Dhammavisuddhikavi (1936–), Ex-Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Mahamakut Buddhist University and has written 70 books on Buddhism
• P.A. Payutto (1937–), lectured and written extensively about a variety of topics related to Buddhism, awarded the 1994 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education
• Phra Paisal Visalo, writing and editing books on environment and Buddhism, co-founder of Sekiyadhamma, a network of socially engaged monks in Thailand
• Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu, (1979–), facilitates a meditation website for groups and individuals, maintains a YouTube channel where hosts both live chatrooms and pre-recorded videos answering viewers' questions about Theravada Buddhism
• Tara Brach (1953–)
• John Crook (1930–2011), 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
• Han Yong-un (1879–1944)
• Chittadhar Hridaya (1906–1982)
• Khantipalo (1932–), accomplished Pali scholar and published a great many influential books and articles on Buddhism
• 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–), prolific writer of Nichiren Buddhism, society, peace and nuclear abolition, and President of the Soka Gakkai International
• Sangharakshita (1925–2018)
• Edward Salim Michael (1921—2006)
• Nakamura Hajime (1911–1999)
• Nishida Kitaro (1870–1945)
• Gudo Wafu Nishijima (1919–)
• Nishitani Keiji (1900–1990)
• Henry Steel Olcott (1832–1907), major revivalist of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and a Buddhist modernist for his efforts in interpreting Buddhism through a Westernized len
• Shunryū Suzuki (1904–1971), Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States
• Sharon Salzberg (1953–), teacher of Buddhist meditation practices in the West, and also a New York Times Best selling author
• Sheng-yen (1930–2009), 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), activist and thinker who advocated the reform and renewal of Chinese Buddhism
• Yin Shun (1906–2005), bring forth the ideal of "Humanistic" (human-realm) Buddhism and regenerated the interests in the long-ignored Āgamas among Chinese Buddhists
• Tanaka Chigaku (1861–1939)
• Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944), Japanese educator and founder of the Soka Gakkai
• Robert Thurman (1941–), 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 (1964–)
• Alan Watts (1915–1973)
• Robert Wright (1957–)
• Noah Levine (1971–) is an American Buddhist teacher and the author

Politicians and activists

• B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), Indian nationalist, jurist, scholar, political leader,anthropologist, economist and principal architect of the Constitution of India
• Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma; received the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 (Theravada)
• Colleen Hanabusa, U.S. Congresswoman (2011–), Democrat and lawyer from Hawaii
• Mazie Hirono, U.S. Senator (2013–), U.S. Congresswoman (2007–2013) and Democrat from Hawaii; first elected female Senator from Hawaii, first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate, first U.S. Senator born in Japan and the nation's first Buddhist Senator
• Hank Johnson, U.S. Congressman (2007–) and Democrat from Georgia; one of the first two Buddhists to serve in the United States Congress (Soka Gakkai International)
• Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury (1928–2016), English politician and Liberal Democrat; served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Orpington from 1962 to 1970 and served in the House of Lords, having inherited the title of Baron Avebury in 1971
• Jiyul, a Buddhist nun from South Korea who fasted to stop destruction of Korean salamander lands (Korean Seon)
• Pomnyun, South Korean Buddhist monk, Zen master, and peace activist who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding in 2002 for his peace activism on the issue of Korean peninsula. (Korean Seon)
• U Thant (1909–1974), Burmese diplomat and third Secretary-General of the United Nations (1961–1971) (Theravada)
• U Nu (1997 - 1995), Prime Minister of Burma and facilitator of Sixth Buddhist Council
• Thích Huyền Quang (1919–2008), Vietnamese Buddhist monk, dissident and activist; formerly the patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam; in 2002, he was awarded the Homo Homini Award for his human rights activism by the Czech group People in Need
• Thích Quảng Độ, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, current patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam; awarded the Homo Homini Award for human rights activism by the Czech group People in Need in 2002; nine-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee
• Thích Quảng Đức (1897–1963), Vietnamese Mahayana monk and self-martyr for freedom of religion; burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963 (Mahayana)
• Kiren Rijiju, Indian politician
• D. S. Senanayake (1883-1952), Prime Minister of Ceylon
• S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike (1899-1959), Prime Minister of Ceylon
• Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916-2000), Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and first female Prime Minister in the world

Sport players

• Fabien Barthez, French goalkeeper (1994–2006) of 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000-winning French national football team (Zen)
• Roberto Baggio, Italian (1988–2004) footballer; in 1993, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d'Or (Soka Gakkai International)
• Tiger Woods, American golfer

Military leaders

• Ellison Onizuka (1946–1986), U.S. Air Force Colonel and first Asian American astronaut of NASA (Pure Land Buddhism)

Buddhist practitioners notable in other fields

• Orlando Bloom, English actor (Soka Gakkai International)
• Kate Bosworth, American actress (Soka Gakkai International)
• John Cage, American composer(Zen Buddhisim)
• Belinda Carlisle, American singer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Tisca Chopra, Indian actress (Soka Gakkai International)
• Edson Celulari, Brazilian actor
• Chow Yun-fat, Chinese actor
• Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter/poet (Zen)
• Penélope Cruz, Spanish actress and model
• George Dvorsky, Transhumanist, Futurist and one of directors of Humanity+ (Secular Buddhism)
• Richard Gere, American actor (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Allen Ginsberg, poet (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Philip Glass, American composer (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Herbie Hancock, American pianist and composer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Steve Jobs, American businessman, entrepreneur, marketer, inventor and the CEO of Apple Inc (Zen)
• Jack Kerouac, American novelist (Zen and Tibetan Buddhism; also the Catholic Church)
• k.d. lang, Canadian singer (Tibetan Buddhism)
• James Lecesne, American actor, author, screenwriter, LGBT rights activist, founder of The Trevor Project (Soka Gakkai International)
• Jet Li, Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Courtney Love, American singer-songwriter (Soka Gakkai International)
• Naima Mora, fashion model, winner of America's Next Top Model (Soka Gakkai International)
• Kenneth Pai, Chinese-American writer
• Steven Seagal, American actor and aikido expert (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Maya Soetoro-Ng, Indonesian American writer, university instructor and maternal half-sister of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States
• Oliver Stone, American film director
• Sharon Stone, American actress, producer, and former fashion model
• George Takei, American actor and author
• Tina Turner, American singer-songwriter (Soka Gakkai International)
• Marcia Wallace, American actress, voice artist, comedian (Soka Gakkai International)
• Naomi Watts, British-Australian actress and film producer
• Faye Wong, Chinese singer and actress (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Michelle Yeoh, Malaysian actress
• Priscilla Chan, pediatrician and philanthropist, wife of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg

Fictional Buddhists

Anime and Manga

• Gautama Buddha, protagonist from Saint Young Men
• The cast from Ah My Buddha
• Ikkyū, protagonist from Ikkyū-san
• The cast from Oseam
• Seishin Muroi, character from Shiki
• Yoh Asakura, protagonist of the anime/manga Shaman King
• Hanamaru Kunikida, character from Love Live! Sunshine!!
• Miroku, character from Japanese Anime Inuyasha
• Krillin, character from the Dragonball series
• Kaname Asahina, Chiaki and Yūsei, characters from Brothers Conflict
• Chichiri, character from Fushigi Yūgi
• Yakumo Kokonoe, character from The Irregular at Magic High School
• Mayura Sōda, Miyuki Sagara, and Yukimasa Sagara, characters from RDG: Red Data Girl
• Keisei Tagami and Akasha Shishidō, characters from the Corpse Princess series
• Anji Yūkyūzan, character from Rurouni Kenshin
• Enkai, character from Requiem from the Darkness

Graphic Novels

• Enigma, a Marvel Comics superheroine
• Xorn, Marvel Comics character and member of the X-Men
• Green Lama, an American pulp magazine hero
• Green Arrow (Connor Hawke), DC Comics superhero

Literature

• Sun Wukong, Monkey King in Chinese epic novel Journey to the West, and a fictional pupil of historical Chinese monk Xuanzang
• Mary Elizabeth, character from the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Film and Television

• Steve Jinks, character from Warehouse 13
• Daryl Dixon, character from The Walking Dead
• 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
• Lisa Simpson, feminist and daughter of Homer and Marge Simpson, character from the cartoon The Simpsons
• Carl Carlson, character from the cartoon The Simpsons
• Lenny Leonard, character from the cartoon The Simpsons
• Trini Kwan, original Yellow Ranger of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
• Wendy Wu, protagonist of the Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior
• Master Splinter, a Zen sensei/teacher to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Hiro Nakamura, protagonist character in TV series Heroes
• Gi, the Planeteer able to wield the element water
• Edina Monsoon (Eddy) from the Absolutely Fabulous TV sitcom
• God, from the animated cartoon South Park
• Charlie Crews, Zen Buddhist, protagonist of television series Life
• Buddha, character from Air Buddies

Video Games

• Liu Kang, character from the video game and later movie, Mortal Kombat
• Sage, a class of trainer from the Pokémon series

Misc

• 2D, lead singer and keyboardist of the British virtual band Gorillaz
• Jeremy, from the popular web series Pure Pwnage

See also

• Rinpoches
• List of converts to Buddhism
• Buddhahood
• Outline of Buddhism