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List of Buddhists
List of Buddhists - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Buddhists
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
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
Burmese
Thai
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
Tibetan Buddhist teachers
Zen teachers
Japanese
Chinese
Malaysian
Taiwanese
European
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
Vietnamese
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
Buddhist practitioners notable in other fields
Orlando Bloom , English actor 3 (SGI Nichiren Buddhist )
Kate Bosworth , American actress 1 (SGI Nichiren Buddhist )
Chow Yun-fat , Chinese actor 4
Leonard Cohen , Canadian singer/songwriter/poet 3 (Zen Buddhist )
George Dvorsky , transhumanist futurist and one of directors of Humanity+ . 5 (Secular Buddhist)
Richard Gere , American actor 1 (Tibetan Buddhist )
Allen Ginsberg , poet 6 (Tibetan Buddhist )
Herbie Hancock , American pianist and composer 1 (SGI Nichiren Buddhist )
Steve Jobs , American businessman and inventor 7 8 (Zen Buddhist )
k.d. lang , Canadian singer 9 (Tibetan Buddhist )
Jet Li , Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor 10 (Tibetan Buddhist )
Courtney Love , American singer-songwriter 11 (SGI Nichiren Buddhist )
Kenneth Pai , Chinese-American writer 12
Steven Seagal , American actor and aikido expert 1 (Tibetan Buddhist )
Oliver Stone , American film director 13
Sharon Stone , American actress, producer, and former fashion model. 14
Tina Turner , American singer-songwriter 3 (SGI Nichiren Buddhist )
Wong Ah Kiu – Malaysian of mixed Chinese and Malay descent 15
Tiger Woods American golfer 3 16
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 17
Carl Carlson , character from the cartoon The Simpsons 17
Lenny Leonard , character from the cartoon The Simpsons 17
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 18
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , anthropomorphic turtle-superheroes 19
Master Splinter , a Zen sensei/teacher to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Hiro Nakamura , protagonist character in TV series Heroes 20
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 21
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
References
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^ "South Korean nun ends 100-day fast for salamander" . Daily Times . 5 February 2005. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-2-2005_pg4_12 . Retrieved 11 January 2012 .
^ a b c d "Top Ten celebrity Buddhists" . Wildmind Buddhist Meditation . Wildmind.org. June 5, 2007. http://www.wildmind.org/blogs/on-practice/top-10-celebrity-buddhists/2 . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ "Chow Yun-Fat biography and filmography: Dragonball: Evolution Actor" . Tribute.ca . http://www.tribute.ca/people/Chow+Yun-Fat/2892/16247 . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ Dvorsky, George. "George Dvorsky: About" . Google+ . https://plus.google.com/113826130987100978989/about . Retrieved August 30, 2011 .
^ Morgan, Bill. I Celebrate Myself: The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg . New York: Viking, 2006.
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^ Burke, Daniel (November 2, 2011). "Steve Jobs' private spirituality now an open book" . USA Today . http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-11-02/steve-jobs-faith-buddhism/51049772/1 . Retrieved January 6, 2012 .
^ "The second coming of kd Lang" . The Times (London). January 13, 2008. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3159573.ece . Retrieved May 8, 2010 .
^ "How did you come to follow Tibetan Buddhism?" . The Official Jet Li Website . JetLi.com. May 21, 2001. http://jetli.com/jet/index.php?l=en&s=spirit&ss=questions&p=x&date=010521 . Retrieved August 9, 2001 .
^ Lash, Jolie (18 November 2005). "Enduring Love" . The Guardian . http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,16373,1644519,00.html . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ Palladino, D. J. (September 28, 2006). "Peony Dreams" . The Santa Barbara Independent . http://www.independent.com/news/2006/sep/28/peony-dreams/ . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ Lagrossa, Edward (October 20, 1997). "Stone Soul Booksigning" . The Austin Chronicle . http://weeklywire.com/ww/10-20-97/austin_screens_feature4.html . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ Lee, Luaine (October 17, 1998). "Sharon Stone's now at peace with her world" . Deseret News : p. 2. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/658097/Sharon-Stones-now-at-peace-with-her-world.html . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ "Syariah Court Decides Nyonya Tahir Not A Muslim" . Bernama. 2006-01-23. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=177118 . Retrieved 2007-05-02 .
^ Wright, Robert (July 24, 2000). "Gandhi and Tiger Woods" . Slate.com . http://www.slate.com/id/86898/ . Retrieved August 9, 2011 .
^ a b c The Simpsons Episode 275 (Season 13 Episode 6) 'She of Little Faith'
^ "The religion of Batman, Bruce Wayne" . Adherents.com. http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/Batman.html . Retrieved 2012-01-31 .
^ "Religion of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Comic Book Characters)" . Comicbookreligion.com. http://www.comicbookreligion.com/?Team=Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles . Retrieved 2012-01-31 .
^ "Religion of Hiro Nakamura; from Heroes (TV series): Season 1, Episode" . Comicbookreligion.com. http://www.comicbookreligion.com/?c=2007&Hiro_Nakamura . Retrieved 2012-01-31 .
^ South Park Episode 58 (Season 4 Episode 11) 'Probably'