List of Buddhists
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A number of noted individuals have been Buddhists.
Contents
- 1 Historical Buddhist thinkers and founders of schools
- 1.1 Buddha's Disciples and Early Buddhists
- 1.2 Indian later Buddhists (after the Buddha)
- 1.3 Indo-Greek
- 1.4 Central Asian
- 1.5 Chinese
- 1.6 Tibetan
- 1.7 Japanese
- 1.8 Korean
- 1.9 Thai
- 2 Historical rulers and political figures
- 3 Modern teachers
- 4 Teachers of controversial Buddhist or Buddhist-influenced groups
- 5 Modern scholars and authors
- 6 Modern politicians, activists, and protestors
- 7 Celebrity Buddhists
Historical Buddhist thinkers and founders of schools
Individuals are grouped by nationality, except in cases where the vast majority of their influence was felt elsewhere. Gautama Buddha and his contemporary disciples ('Buddhists') are listed separately from later Indian Buddhist thinkers, teachers and contemplatives.
Buddha's Disciples and Early Buddhists
- 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
- Cunda
- Dabba Mallaputta
- Devadatta
- Dhammadinna
- Janussoni
- Jayasena
- Jivaka Komarabhacca
- Maha Kaccana
- Kaccayana Gotta
- Kankharevata
- Maha Kappina
- Kasi Bharadvaja
- Kevatta
- Khujjuttara
- Kisa Gotami
- Kondañña
- Maha Kotthika
- Magandiya
- Mahākāśyapa
- Mallika
- Maudgalyayana
- Migara
- Nanda
- Maha Pajapati Gotami
- Pasenadi
- Pukkusati
- Punna
- Rahula
- Ratthapala
- Revata
- Samavati
- Sariputta (Pali, Shariputra Sanskrit). one of the two chief disciples of the Buddha.
- Suddhodana
- Sundari
- Udena
- Upali, foremost desciple in knowledge of the Vinaya.
- Uppalavanna
- Vacchagotta
- Visakha
- Yasa
- Yasodhara
Indian later Buddhists (after the Buddha)
- Aryadeva foremost disciple of Nagarjuna, continued the philosophical school of Madhyamika
- Asanga founder 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 Madhyamikha
- Buddhaghosa (Theravadin commentator)
- Buddhapalita early expositor of the Prasangika Madhyamikha
- Candragomin renowned grammarian
- Chandrakirti considered the greatest exponent of Prasangika Madhyamika
- 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
- Gunaprabha foremost student of Vasubandhu, known for his work the Vinayasutra
- Kamalashila 8th-century author of important texts on meditation
- Luipa one of the eighty-four tantric mahasiddas
- Nagarjuna founder of the Madhyamika school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher (with Asanga)
- Nagpopa one of the eighty-four tantric mahasiddas
- Nadapada (Tib. Naropa), Tilopa's primary disciple, teacher of Marpa the Translator and Khungpo Nyaljor
- Sakyaprabha prominent expositor of the Vinaya
- Saraha famed mahasiddha, forefather of the Tibetan Kagyu lineage
- Shantarakshita abbot of Nalanda, founder of the Yogachara-Madhyamika who helped Padmasambhava establish Buddhism in Tibet
- Shantideva (8th century Indian) author of the Bodhisattvacaryavatra
- Talika (Tib. Tilopa), recipient of four separate transmissions from Nagarjuna, Nagpopa, Luipa, and Khandro Kalpa Zangmo; Naropa's teacher
- Vasubandhu author of the Abhidharmakosha
- Vimuktisena commentator on texts of Asanga's
Indo-Greek
- Dharmaraksita (3rd century BCE), Greek Buddhist missionary of Emperor Ashoka, 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 tranlator 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 Kukai in Sanskrit texts.
Chinese
- Baizhang Huaihai
- Bodhidharma (legendary first patriarch of Zen in China)
- Fazang
- Ba Tuo / Fo Tuo
- Fa Xian (translator and pilgrim)
- Seng Chou (僧稠)
- Joshu (9th century Chinese Zen monk)
- Huangbo Xiyun
- Fu Yu (福裕)
- Jinaluo
- Fa Ru
- Hui Guang (慧光)
- Huineng (6th Patriarch of Zen in China)
- Ingen (17th century Chinese Zen monk, founder of the Ōbaku sect of Zen)
- Pu Ji
- Daoji (Buddhist monk revered as a deity in Taoism)
- Jnanayasas (translator)
- Linji (9th century Chinese monk, founder of the Linji school of Zen)
- Sanghapala (6th century monk (Mon-Khmer?) who translated many texts to Chinese)
- Shen Xiu (Tang Dynasty,the chief of Shao-Lin Temple,made great contribution to Zen)
- Xuanzang (brought Yogacara to China to found Faxiang school, significant pilgrim, translator)
- Yi Jing (pilgrim and translator)
- Yunmen Wenyan (founder of one of the five Chan schools)
- Zhiyi (founder of Tiantai school)
- Zongmi (WG: Tsung-mi; fifth patriarch of Chinese Huayan school)
- Ou-Yang Jin-Wu
- Hong Yi (also calligraphist, painter, master of seal carving)
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
- 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
- Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche) Indian semi-legendary founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism
- Sakya Pandita one of the greatest Sakya philosophers
- Tsongkhapa (14th century Tibetan monk, founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism, based upon the Kadam tradition)
- Yeshe Tsogyal, important female student of Padmasambhava
Japanese
- 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)
- Ippen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Ji sect (Ji-shu)
- Ikkyu
- Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769, Rinzai Zen)
- Honen, founder of the Japanese Pure Land Jodo sect (Jodo-shu)
- Kukai (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)
- Nichiren (founder of Nichiren Buddhism)
- Nikko (founder of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism)
- 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)
- Saicho (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)
- Takuan Soho (Zen teacher, and, according to legend, mentor of the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi)
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)
- Weonhyo (617-668) Korean monk; prolific commentator on Mahayana sutras
- Wonchuk
Thai
- Somdej Toh (Thai monk specializing in magical amulets)
- Phramonkolthepmuni (1885-1959) (Thai monk who founded the Dhammakaya Tradition)
- Khun Yay Mahā Ratana Upāsikā Chandra Khonnokyoong (1909-2000) (Thai nun who headed Wat Phra Dhammakaya)
Historical rulers and political figures
- Ashoka the Great, Mauryan Emperor of Ancient India
- Brhadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty
- 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.
- Theodorus (1st century BCE), Indo-Greek governor, author of a Buddhist dedication.
- Kanishka, ruler of the Kushan Empire
- Shōtoku (574-622), crown prince and regent of Japan
- Liang Wudi (梁武帝) (502-549), emperor during the Chinese Liang Dynasty
- Harshavardhana (606-648), Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism.
- Wu Zetian
- Jayavarman VII (1181-1219), king of Cambodia
- Ming Done, king of Myanmar and facilitator of "5th World Theravada Buddhist Sanga's Council" or Sangayana
- Mongkut, king of Thailand and founder of the Thammayut Nikaya
- Emperor Ming of Han China.
- Tang Dynasty
- Kublai Khan Mongol Ruler.
Modern teachers
- Ajahn Brahm (1951- )
- Ajahn Chah (1918-1992)
- Ajahn Mun (1870-1949)
- Ajahn Sumedho
- Ven. Ananda Maitreya (1896-1998)
- Ayya Khema (1923-1997)
- Bhante Henepola Gunaratana (1927- )
- Bhikkhu Bodhi (1944- )
- Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906-1993)
- Dipa Ma (1911-1989)
- Dhiravamsa
- Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Luang Phaw Dhammajayo) (b.1944), President of the Dhammakaya Foundation
- Phrabhavanaviriyakhun (Luang Phaw Dattajeevo) (b.1941), acting abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya,
- Preah Maha Ghosananda (1929- ), Patriarch of Cambodia.
- S. N. Goenka (1924- )
- Joseph Goldstein
- Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana (born 1913), the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
- Ven. Ledi Sayadaw (1846-1923)
- Mahasi Sayadaw (1904-1982)
- Sharon Salzberg
- Shinzen Young
- Sayadaw U Pandita (1921- )
- Walpola Piyananda
- U Ba Khin (1899-1971)
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
- Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930-2002)
- Chögyam Trungpa (1940-1987)
- Dhardo Rimpoche (1917-1990)
- Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987)
- Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche (1965- )
- Qoigyijabu, (1990-) 11th Panchen Lama (According to the People's Republic of China government)
- Jigdal Dachen Sakya, 1929-, head of the Sakya School in the USA
- Kalu Rinpoche (1905-1989)
- Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche (1938- )
- Kelsang Gyatso (1931- )
- Kyabje Gehlek Rinpoche (1939- )
- Paltul Rinpoche (1965- )
- Pawo Rinpoche (1912-1991; 1993- )
- Pema Chodron (1936- )
- Ram Bahadur Bamjan (1989-)
- Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924–1981), the 16th Karmapa
- Reginald Ray
- Rob Nairn
- Tarthang Tulku
- Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
- Thrangu Rinpoche (1933- )
- Trinley Thaye Dorje (1983- ), regarded by many as the 17th Karmapa (see also Karmapa controversy)
- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, (1920-1996), Dzogchen, Mahamudra and the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa (Chokling Tersar).
- Urgyen Trinley Dorje (1985- ), also regarded by many as the 17th Karmapa (see also Karmapa controversy)
Japanese
- Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965)
- Dainin Katagiri
- D.T. Suzuki
- Taisen Deshimaru
- Ven. Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi, Rōshi (1931-1995)
- Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, Rōshi (1907- )
- Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965)
- Taizan Maezumi (1931-1995)
- Soyen Shaku, Rōshi (1859-1919)
- Nyogen Senzaki, Rōshi (18??-1958)
- Eido Shimano, Rōshi
- Shunryu Suzuki, Rōshi (1904-1971)
- Haku'un Yasutani, Rōshi (1885-1973)
- Harada Shodo, Rōshi (1945- )
Chinese
- Ven. Guang Qin (1892-1986)
- Ven. Hsing Yun (1927-)
- Ven. Hsin Ting (1944-)
- Ven. Hsuan Hua (1918-1995)
- Ven. Hsu Yun (1840-1959)
- Ven. Sheng-yen (1931- )
European
- Taisen Dokushô Villalba, Rōshi (1956- )
- Fukai Denkô Mesa, (1967- )
- Kosen Thibaut, Rōshi (1950- )
- Barbara Kosen Richaudeau, (1951- )
- Ludger Tenryu Tenbreul, (1956- )
- Lama Ole Nydahl, (1941- )
- Hannah Nydahl, (1946- )
American
- Anne Hopkins Aitken, (1911-1994) )
- Robert Baker Aitken, Rōshi (1917- )
- Tenshin Reb Anderson
- Zentatsu Richard Baker, Rōshi )
- John Crook (1930- )
- Zoketsu Norman Fischer
- James Ishmael Ford, Rōshi (1948- )
- Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Rōshi )
- Paul Haller, Rōshi )
- Cheri Huber
- Philip Kapleau, Rōshi (1912-2004)
- Jiyu Kennett, Rōshi (1924-1996)
- Bodhin Kjolhede, Rōshi (1948- )
- Jakusho Kwong, Rōshi (1935- )
- John Daido Loori, Rōshi
- Kobutsu Shindo Malone, Rōshi )
- John Tarrant, Roshi (1949 - )
- Brad Warner, Sensei )
Korean
- Seung Sahn, Soen Sa (1927-2004)
- Samu Sunim, (1941-)
Vietnamese
Miscellaneous
- Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933), (The World's Debt to Buddha)
- Natalie Goldberg
- Daisaku Ikeda
- Ven. Ching Kung (1927-)
- Ven. Cheng Yen (1937-)
- Sangharakshita (1925- )
- Jan Willis
- Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda (1919-)
Teachers of controversial Buddhist or Buddhist-influenced groups
- Shoko Asahara (1955- )
- Li Hongzhi (1952- )
- Lu Sheng-yen (1945- )
- Suma Ching Hai
Modern scholars and authors
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956)
- Stephen Batchelor
- Susan Blackmore
- Thomas Cleary
- Edward Conze (1904-1979)
- Mark Epstein
- Ven. Gnanatiloka
- Nakamura Hajime (1911-1999)
- Christmas Humphreys
- Phra Khantipalo
- Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945)
- Nishitani Keiji (1900-1990)
- Ven. Narada Maha Thera
- Manhae (1879-1944)
- Abe Masao (born 1915)
- Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907)
- Walpola Rahula
- C.A.F. Rhys Davids (1857-1942)
- T.W. Rhys Davids (1843-1922)
- Scott Shaw
- Gary Snyder
- D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966)
- Robert Thurman
- Ven. Yin Shun (The Way To Buddahood: Instructions From A Modern Chinese Master ) (1906-2005)
Modern politicians, activists, and protestors
Celebrity Buddhists
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
- Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930-2002)
- Chögyam Trungpa (1940-1987)
- Dhardo Rimpoche (1917-1990)
- Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987)
- Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche (1965- )
- Qoigyijabu, (1990-) 11th Panchen Lama (According to the People's Republic of China government)
- Jigdal Dachen Sakya, 1929-, head of the Sakya School in the USA
- Kalu Rinpoche (1905-1989)
- Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche (1938- )
- Kelsang Gyatso (1931- )
- Kyabje Gehlek Rinpoche (1939- )
- Paltul Rinpoche (1965- )
- Pawo Rinpoche (1912-1991; 1993- )
- Pema Chodron (1936- )
- Ram Bahadur Bamjan (1989-)
- Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (1924–1981), the 16th Karmapa
- Reginald Ray
- Rob Nairn
- Tarthang Tulku
- Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
- Thrangu Rinpoche (1933- )
- Trinley Thaye Dorje (1983- ), regarded by many as the 17th Karmapa (see also Karmapa controversy)
- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, (1920-1996), Dzogchen, Mahamudra and the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa (Chokling Tersar).
- Urgyen Trinley Dorje (1985- ), also regarded by many as the 17th Karmapa (see also Karmapa controversy)
Japanese
- Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965)
- Dainin Katagiri
- D.T. Suzuki
- Taisen Deshimaru
- Ven. Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi, Rōshi (1931-1995)
- Kyozan Joshu Sasaki, Rōshi (1907- )
- Kodo Sawaki (1880-1965)
- Taizan Maezumi (1931-1995)
- Soyen Shaku, Rōshi (1859-1919)
- Nyogen Senzaki, Rōshi (18??-1958)
- Eido Shimano, Rōshi
- Shunryu Suzuki, Rōshi (1904-1971)
- Haku'un Yasutani, Rōshi (1885-1973)
- Harada Shodo, Rōshi (1945- )
Chinese
- Ven. Guang Qin (1892-1986)
- Ven. Hsing Yun (1927-)
- Ven. Hsin Ting (1944-)
- Ven. Hsuan Hua (1918-1995)
- Ven. Hsu Yun (1840-1959)
- Ven. Sheng-yen (1931- )
European
- Taisen Dokushô Villalba, Rōshi (1956- )
- Fukai Denkô Mesa, (1967- )
- Kosen Thibaut, Rōshi (1950- )
- Barbara Kosen Richaudeau, (1951- )
- Ludger Tenryu Tenbreul, (1956- )
- Lama Ole Nydahl, (1941- )
- Hannah Nydahl, (1946- )
American
- Anne Hopkins Aitken, (1911-1994) )
- Robert Baker Aitken, Rōshi (1917- )
- Tenshin Reb Anderson
- Zentatsu Richard Baker, Rōshi )
- John Crook (1930- )
- Zoketsu Norman Fischer
- James Ishmael Ford, Rōshi (1948- )
- Tetsugen Bernard Glassman, Rōshi )
- Paul Haller, Rōshi )
- Cheri Huber
- Philip Kapleau, Rōshi (1912-2004)
- Jiyu Kennett, Rōshi (1924-1996)
- Bodhin Kjolhede, Rōshi (1948- )
- Jakusho Kwong, Rōshi (1935- )
- John Daido Loori, Rōshi
- Kobutsu Shindo Malone, Rōshi )
- John Tarrant, Roshi (1949 - )
- Brad Warner, Sensei )
Korean
- Seung Sahn, Soen Sa (1927-2004)
- Samu Sunim, (1941-)
Vietnamese
Miscellaneous
- Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933), (The World's Debt to Buddha)
- Natalie Goldberg
- Daisaku Ikeda
- Ven. Ching Kung (1927-)
- Ven. Cheng Yen (1937-)
- Sangharakshita (1925- )
- Jan Willis
- Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda (1919-)
Teachers of controversial Buddhist or Buddhist-influenced groups
- Shoko Asahara (1955- )
- Li Hongzhi (1952- )
- Lu Sheng-yen (1945- )
- Suma Ching Hai
Modern scholars and authors
- Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956)
- Stephen Batchelor
- Susan Blackmore
- Thomas Cleary
- Edward Conze (1904-1979)
- Mark Epstein
- Ven. Gnanatiloka
- Nakamura Hajime (1911-1999)
- Christmas Humphreys
- Phra Khantipalo
- Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945)
- Nishitani Keiji (1900-1990)
- Ven. Narada Maha Thera
- Manhae (1879-1944)
- Abe Masao (born 1915)
- Henry Steel Olcott (1832-1907)
- Walpola Rahula
- C.A.F. Rhys Davids (1857-1942)
- T.W. Rhys Davids (1843-1922)
- Scott Shaw
- Gary Snyder
- D.T. Suzuki (1870-1966)
- Robert Thurman
- Ven. Yin Shun (The Way To Buddahood: Instructions From A Modern Chinese Master ) (1906-2005)
Modern politicians, activists, and protestors
Celebrity Buddhists
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, actor
- Roberto Baggio, Italian footballer
- Andrew Black, poker player
- Orlando Bloom, actor
- Leonard Cohen, poet, singer
- Mark Copani, actor
- Patrick Duffy, actor
- Michael Everson, linguist
- Richard Gere, actor
- Philip Glass, composer
- Ron Glass, actor
- Herbie Hancock, musician
- Goldie Hawn, actor
- Christmas Humphreys, judge, scholar
- Charles Johnson, writer
- Maxi Jazz, rapper
- Naomi Watts, actor
- Gustav Meyrink, writer, translator, banker
- Kathleen Dee-Anne Norris, actor, model
- Steven Seagal, actor, martial artist
- Duncan Sheik, singer-songwriter
- Wayne Shorter, musician
- Tina Turner, singer (What's Love Got To Do With It?)
- Watazumi Doso, shakuhachi flutist
- Faye Wong, singer
- Adam Yauch, rapper (MCA of the Beastie Boys)
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