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

See also: Ten principal disciples, Category:Disciples of Gautama Buddha, and Category:Family of Gautama Buddha

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

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.

• Gautama 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
• Maha Kapphina
• 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

• Amrapali, royal courtesan
• Anathapindika, wealthy merchant and banker
• Ajātasattu, king of Magadha, son of Bimbisāra
• Bimbisāra, king of Magadha
• Chandaka, prince Siddhārtha's charioteer
• Citta, wealthy merchant
• Cunda Kammāraputta, 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
• Pasenadi, King of Kosala
• Samavati, 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
• 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
• 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 (Tibetan: Naropa), Tilopa's primary disciple, teacher of Marpa the Translator and Khungpo Nyaljor
• 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

From Gandhara

• Asanga, founder of the Yogacara school, widely considered the most important Mahayana philosopher along with Nagarjuna
• Garab Dorje, Indian founder of Dzogchen (Great Perfection) tradition
• Vasubandhu, author of the Abhidharmakōśa and various Yogacara treatises; these may or may not be the same person
• Padmasambhava (Tibetan: Guru Rinpoche), Indian founder of Tibetan Buddhism

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 from Gandhara, first translator of Mahayana scriptures into Chinese, around 180 CE
• Prajñā (c. 810), monk and translator from Gandhara, who translated important texts into Chinese and educated the Japanese Kūkai in Sanskrit texts

Chinese

• Baizhang Huaihai, Zen Buddhist master of Tang dynasty
• 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, the third of the five patriarchs of the Huayan school of Mahayana Buddhism, of which he is traditionally considered the founder.
• 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, 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, Gandharan founder of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism
• Karmapa, the founder of Karma Kagyu or Kamtsang Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
• Jamgon Kongtrul, Tibetan Buddhist scholar, artist, physician and polymath
• 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, 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, 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
• Sayagyi U 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 teachers and meditation masters 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 (born 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 (28–75), born Liu Yang and also known as Liu Zhuang and as Han Mingdi, the second emperor of China's Eastern Han dynasty.
• 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
• Bimbisar (544–492 BC), founder of Haryanka dynasty
• Ajātasattu (reign c. 492–460 BC), second emperor of Haryanka dynasty
• Udayin (460–444 BC), third emperor of Haryanka dynasty
• Pasenadi, King of Kosala

Modern teachers

Theravada teachers

• Ajahn Amaro (born 1956)
• Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993)
• Ajahn Brahm (born 1951)
• Ajahn Candasiri (born 1947)
• Ajahn Chah (1918–1992)
• Ajahn Jayasaro (born 1958)
• Ajahn Khemadhammo (born 1944)
• Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta (1870–1949)
• Ajahn Pasanno (born 1949)
• Ajahn Sucitto (born 1949)
• Ajahn Sumedho (born 1934)
• Ajahn Sundara (born 1946)
• Ajahn Viradhammo (born 1947)
• Ayya Khema (1923–1997)
• Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero (1896–1998)
• Bhante Sujato (born 1966)
• Bhikkhu Anālayo (born 1962)
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (born 1944)
• Bhikkhu Kiribathgoda Gnanananda (born 1961)
• Bour Kry (born 1945)
• Charles Henry Allan Bennett (1872–1923)
• Dipa Ma (1911–1989)
• Godwin Samararatne (1932–2000)
• Hammalawa Saddhatissa (1914–1990)
• Henepola Gunaratana (born 1927)
• Jack Kornfield (born 1945)
• K. L. Dhammajoti (born 1949)
• K. Sri Dhammananda (1919–2006)
• Kirinde Sri Dhammaratana (born 1948)
• Ledi Sayadaw (1846–1923)
• Luangpor Thong (born 1939)
• Mahasi Sayadaw (1904–1982)
• Mother Sayamagyi (1925–2017)
• Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu (1905–1960)
• Nyānaponika Mahāthera (1901–1994)
• Nyānatiloka Mahāthera (1878–1957)
• Ñāṇavīra Thera (1920–1965)
• Narada Maha Thera (1898–1983)
• Phra Paisal Visalo (born 1957)
• Piyadassi Maha Thera (1914–1998)
• Preah Maha Ghosananda (1929–2007)
• Sayagyi U Ba Khin (1899–1971)
• S. N. Goenka (1924–2013)
• Sharon Salzberg (born 1952)
• Sujiva (born 1951)
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (born 1949)
• Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu (born 1979)

Tibetan Buddhist teachers

• Anagarika Govinda (1898–1985)
• B. Alan Wallace (born 1950)
• Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche (1930–2002)
• Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche (1940–1987)
• Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (born 1951)
• Damba Ayusheev, the XXIV Pandito Khambo Lama in Russia (born 1962)
• 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 (born 1931)
• Kelsang Gyatso (born 1931)
• Matthieu Ricard (born 1946)
• Ole Nydahl (born 1941)
• Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, 16th Karmapa (1924–1981)
• Sakyong Mipham (born 1962)
• 14th Dalai Lama (born 1935)
• Tenzin Palmo (born 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 (born 1966)
• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996), Dzogchen, Mahamudra and the Chokling Tersar
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (born 1975)
• Gelek Rimpoche (born 1939)
• Tsem Tulku Rinpoche (born 1965)
• Dagyab Kyabgoen Rinpoche (born 1940)
• Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (born 1975)
• Sakya Trizin
• Thubten Chodron (born 1950)
• Pema Chödrön (born 1936)
• Robina Courtin (born 1944)
• Robert Thurman (born 1941)
• Mark Epstein (born 1953)

Dzogchen and Bon teachers

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

Zen teachers

American

• Adyashanti (born 1962)
• Robert Baker Aitken (1917–2010)
• Anne Hopkins Aitken (1911–1994)
• Reb Anderson (born 1943)
• Zentatsu Richard Baker (born 1936)
• Joko Beck (1917–2011)
• Sherry Chayat (born 1943)
• Issan Dorsey (1933–1990)
• Zoketsu Norman Fischer (born 1946)
• James Ishmael Ford (born 1948)
• Tetsugen Bernard Glassman (1939–2018)
• Paul Haller
• Cheri Huber (born 1944)
• Soenghyang (Barbara Rhodes, born 1948)
• Philip Kapleau (1912–2004)
• Houn Jiyu-Kennett (1924–1996)
• Bodhin Kjolhede (born 1948)
• Jakusho Kwong (born 1935)
• Taigen Dan Leighton (born 1950)
• Frederick Lenz (1950–1998)
• John Daido Loori (1931–2009)
• Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji (born 1954)
• Heng Sure (born 1949)
• Bonnie Myotai Treace (born 1956)
• Brad Warner (born 1964)
• Robert J. Waldinger (born 1951)

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 (born 1968)

Japanese

• Kōbun Chino Otogawa (1938–2002)
• Taisen Deshimaru (1914–1982)
• Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769)
• Keido Fukushima (1933–2011)
• Jakushitsu Genkō (1290–1367)
• Shodo Harada (born 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 (born 1948)
• 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 (born 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 (born 1953)

Malaysian

• Chi Chern (born 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) (born 1937), founder of Tzu Chi Foundation (慈濟基金會) in Taiwan
• Hsing Yun (星雲) (born 1927), founder of Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) in Taiwan
• Wei Chueh (惟覺) (born 1928), founder of Chung Tai Shan (中台禪寺) in Taiwan

Vietnamese

• Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022)
• Thích Chân Không (born 1938)
• Thích Thiên-Ân (1926–1980)
• Thích Thanh Từ (born 1924)

Writers

Further information: List of writers on Buddhism

• Bhikkhu Analayo (born 1962), known for his comparative studies of early Buddhist texts as preserved by the various early Buddhist traditions
• Buddhādasa Bhikkhu, his works 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
• Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu (1905–1960), remembered for his reliable translations from the Pali into English, remarkable command of the Pali language and a wide knowledge of the canonical scriptures
• Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (born 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"
• Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu, (born 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
• Bhikkhu Bodhi (born 1944), second president of the Buddhist Publication Society and has edited and authored several publications grounded in the Theravada Buddhist tradition
• Tara Brach (born 1953), American psychologist and author
• Tanaka Chigaku (1861–1939)
• John Crook (1930–2011), British ecologist, sociologist, and practitioner of both Ch'an and Tibetan Buddhism tradition
• 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
• Phra Dhammavisuddhikavi (born 1936), ex-Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at Mahamakut Buddhist University and has written 70 books on Buddhism
• Allen Ginsberg, poet (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Joseph Goldstein (born 1944), one of the first American Vipassana teachers, contemporary author of numerous popular books on Buddhism
• Nakamura Hajime (1911–1999)
• 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 (born 1928), prolific writer of Nichiren Buddhism, society, peace and nuclear abolition, and President of the Soka Gakkai International
• Nishitani Keiji (1900–1990)
• Jack Kerouac, American novelist (Zen and Tibetan Buddhism; also the Catholic Church)
• Nishida Kitaro (1870–1945)
• Jack Kornfield (born 1945), American book writer, student of renowned forest monk Ajahn Chah, and teacher of Theravada Buddhism
• Noah Levine (born 1971), American Buddhist teacher and author
• Nyanatiloka Mahathera, (1878–1957), translated several important Theravadin Pali texts into German, also wrote a Pali grammar, an anthology, and a Buddhist dictionary
• Tsunesaburo Makiguchi (1871–1944), Japanese educator and founder of the Soka Gakkai
• Edward Salim Michael (1921–2006), composer and author
• Achan Sobin S. Namto (born 1931), taught Vipassana meditation and Buddhist psychology in Southeast Asia and North America for over 50 years
• Gudo Wafu Nishijima (1919–2014)
• 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 lens
• Kenneth Pai, Chinese-American writer
• P. A. Payutto (born 1937), lectured and written extensively about a variety of topics related to Buddhism, awarded the 1994 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education
• Sharon Salzberg (born 1953), teacher of Buddhist meditation practices in the West, and also a New York Times best-selling author
• Sangharakshita (1925–2018), founder of the Triratna Buddhist community
• 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
• Yin Shun (1906–2005), brought forth the ideal of "Humanistic" (human-realm) Buddhism and regenerated the interests in the long-ignored Āgamas among Chinese Buddhists
• Shunryū Suzuki (1904–1971), Sōtō Zen monk and teacher who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States
• Taixu (1890–1947), activist and thinker who advocated the reform and renewal of Chinese Buddhism
• Nyanaponika Thera (1901–1994), co-founder of the Buddhist Publication Society, contemporary author of numerous seminal Theravada books
• Robert Thurman (born 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.
• Josei Toda (1900–1958), peace activist and second president of the Soka Gakkai
• Phra Paisal Visalo, writing and editing books on environment and Buddhism, co-founder of Sekiyadhamma, a network of socially engaged monks in Thailand
• Brad Warner (born 1964), American monk, writer, and musician
• Alan Watts (1915–1973), English writer and lecturer
• Robert Wright (born 1957), American journalist and author. (Zen)
• Han Yong-un (1879–1944), Korean Buddhist reformer and poet

Politicians and activists

Indian

• B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), Indian nationalist, jurist, scholar, political leader, anthropologist, economist and architect of the Constitution of India
• Prakash (Balasaheb) Ambedkar (born 1954), Indian politician, grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
• Udit Raj (born 1958), Indian politician and member of Indian National Congress. Raj, a Dalit, converted from Hinduism to Buddhism in 2001.
• Kiren Rijiju (born 1971), Indian politician
• Kanshi Ram Founder of Bahujan Samaj Party

Malaysian

• Tan Cheng Lock (1883–1960), Malaysian nationalist, businessman and founder of Malaysian Chinese Association, key figure in the independence of Malaysia.

Burmese

• Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945), 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)
• U Nu (1997–1995), Prime Minister of Burma and facilitator of Sixth Buddhist Council
• U Thant (1909–1974), Burmese diplomat and third Secretary-General of the United Nations (1961–1971) (Theravada)

American

See also: List of Buddhist members of the United States Congress

• Colleen Hanabusa (born 1951), U.S. Congresswoman and lawyer from Hawaii
• Mazie Hirono (born 1947), U.S. Senator, U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii; the nation's first Buddhist senator
• David Ige (born 1957), American politician and the eighth governor of Hawaii
• Hank Johnson (born 1954), U.S. Congressman from Georgia; one of the first two Buddhists to serve in the United States Congress (Soka Gakkai International)

English

• Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury (1928–2016), English politician; served as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Orpington and served in the House of Lords, having inherited the title of Baron Avebury in 1971 (Secular Buddhism)

South Korean

• Jiyul (born 1957), Buddhist nun from South Korea who fasted to stop destruction of Korean salamander lands (Korean Seon)
• Pomnyun (born 1953), 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)

Vietnamese

• 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)

Sri Lankan

• 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.

Film and television

American

• Dan Harris (born 1971), American meditation teacher and retired journalist
• Jennifer Aniston (born 1965), American actress and producer (Zen)
• John Astin (born 1930), American actor
• Kate Bosworth, American actress (Soka Gakkai International)
• Jeff Bridges (born 1949), American actor; he has elaborated that his Buddhism is more like a general calmness. (Zen)
• Drew Carey (born 1958), American actor, comedian, game show host and photographer. (Theravada)
• Peter Coyote (born 1941), American actor and author
• Robert Downey Junior (born 1965), American Jewish Buddhist actor; he has said many times that Buddhism has helped him with his drug and alcohol addiction. (Theravada)
• Patrick Duffy (born 1949), American actor and director. The actor was brought closer to the teachings of Buddhism by his late wife, the ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser (1939–2017). He has been practicing the religion for almost 50 years as of 2022 and describes it as an "essential part" of his life. (Soka Gakkai International)
• Chris Evans (born 1981), American actor and a student of Indian Buddhism. He spent three weeks in Rishikesh in 2005 or 2006 at a Buddhist retreat and attends a Buddhism class in LA. (Theravada)
• Richard Gere (born 1949), American actor (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Ron Glass (1945–2016), American actor and comedian.
• Kate Hudson (born 1979), American actress and businesswoman. (Zen)
• Michael Imperioli (born 1966), American actor, writer, director and musician. In 2008, Imperioli became a Buddhist.
• Chris Kattan (born 1970), American actor, comedian and author. (Tibetan Buddhism)
• David Labrava (born 1962), actor, writer, tattoo artist, former member of the Hells Angels, and motorcycle enthusiast. (Zen)
• Celeste Lecesne (born 1954), American actor, author, screenwriter, LGBT rights activist, founder of The Trevor Project (Soka Gakkai International)
• Anthony Lee (1981–2000), American actor and playwright. (Soka Gakkai International)
• Mandy Patinkin (born 1952), American actor and singer known for his work in musical theatre, television and film.
• Elliot Page (born 1987), American-Canadian actor and activist. (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Jeremy Piven (born 1965), American actor, comedian and producer. (Zen)
• Steven Seagal (born 1952), American actor and aikido expert (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Garry Shandling (1949–2016), American actor and comedian. (Zen)
• Martin Starr (born 1983), American actor and comedian. (Theravada)
• Oliver Stone, American film director
• Sharon Stone, American actress, producer, and former fashion model
• George Takei (born 1937), American actor and author (Zen)
• Duncan Trusell (born 1974), American actor and stand-up comic (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Marcia Wallace, American actress, voice artist, comedian (Soka Gakkai International)

Brazilian

• Edson Celulari (born 1958), Brazilian actor
• Carmo Dalla Vecchia (born 1971), Brazilian actor.
• João Vitti (born 1967), Brazilian theatre and telenovela actor.

British

• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (born 1967), British-Nigerian actor best known for his roles on television (Soka Gakkai International)
• Tom Baker (born 1934), British actor and writer.
• Orlando Bloom (born 1977), English actor known for his roles in film. (Soka Gakkai International)
• Russell Brand (born 1975), British comedian, actor, and television and radio host (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Benedict Cumberbatch (born 1976), British actor (Theravada).
• John Cleese (born 1939), British actor and comedian.
• Peter Dean (born 1939), British actor (Zen)
• Chris Gascoyne (born 1968), English actor (Theravada)
• Claudia Jessie, British actress (Soka Gakkai International)
• Barry Letts (1925–2009), English actor, television director, writer and producer
• Thandiwe Newton (born 1972), English actress. (Theravada)
• Naomi Watts, British-Australian actress and film producer

Chinese

• Chow Yun-fat, Chinese actor

Danish

• Anne Louise Hassing, Danish actress (Soka Gakkai International)

Indian

• Kushal Badrike, actor, comedian
• Tisca Chopra, Indian actress (Soka Gakkai International)
• Bhalchandra Kadam (born 1970), actor, comedian
• Shraddha Das, Indian actress and model (Theravada)
• Ravi Dubey (born 1983), Indian Nichiren Buddhist actor, model and producer. He said, "I started following Buddhism when I was going through a very rough patch in my life and I wanted some understanding of the chaos that was going on in one's life. I wanted to align myself and feel better about myself. So, when things went out of control, I started chanting at that time." (Nichiren Buddhism)
• Manav Gohil (born 1974), Indian actor and producer. (Nichiren Buddhism).
• Tusshar Kapoor (born 1976), Indian Bollywood actor and producer. (Nichiren Buddhism)
• Ayushman Khurrana (born 1984), Indian film actor and activist. He and his wife Tahira Kashyap are followers of Nichiren Buddhism, which they state has helped them through a cancer diagnosis. (Niciren Buddhism)
• Gagan Malik (born 1976), Indian actor. (Theravada)
• Hansika Motwani, Indian actress. She has said in an interview, "The best way to effectively de-stress for me is to chant- Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo, as I strongly follow Buddhism." (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Abhijeet Sawant (born 1981), actor and singer

Italian

• Marco Columbro (born 1950), Italian actor and television host. (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Manuel De Peppe (born 1970), Italian actor, producer and singer, converted to Buddhism in 2011. (Secular Buddhism)

Malaysian

• Michelle Yeoh, Malaysian actress

Thai

• Napapa Tantrakul (born 1986), Thai actress

Billionaire

American

• Jack Dorsey (born 1976), American technological entrepreneur and philanthropist. (Theravada)
• Steve Jobs (1955–2011), American businessman, entrepreneur, marketer, and inventor. (Zen)

Music

American

• John Cage, American composer (Zen Buddhism)
• Belinda Carlisle, American singer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Philip Glass, American composer (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Herbie Hancock, American pianist and composer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Combat Jack (known professionally as Combat Jack; 1964–2017), Haitian-American hip hop music attorney, executive, journalist, editor and podcaster.
• Courtney Love, American singer-songwriter (Soka Gakkai International)
• Steven Sater, American playwright, lyricist and screenwriter (Soka Gakkai International)
• Duncan Sheik (born 1969), American singer-songwriter and composer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Earl Sweatshirt, American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. (Nichiren Buddhism)
• Tina Turner, American singer-songwriter (Soka Gakkai International)
• Buster Williams (born 1942), American jazz bassist
• Adam Yauch (stage name MCA; 1964–2012), American rapper, bass player, filmmaker.

Australian

• Jimmy Barnes (born 1956), Australian singer

British

• David Bowie (1947–2016), English singer-songwriter and actor.
• Boy George (born 1961), English singer, songwriter, DJ, fashion designer, mixed media artist, photographer and record producer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Maxi Jazz (born 1957), British rapper
• Howard Jones (born 1955), English musician, singer and songwriter

Canadian

• Beverly Glenn-Copeland (born 1944), U.S.-born Canadian musician, songwriter and singer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter/poet (Zen)
• k.d. lang (born 1961), Canadian singer (Tibetan Buddhism)

Chinese

• Faye Wong (born 1969), Chinese singer and actress (Tibetan Buddhism)

Hong Konger

• Daniel Chan (born 1975), Hong Kong singer, songwriter, and actor. (Chan Buddhism)

Indian

• Vaishali Mhade (born 1984), singer
• Shibani Kashyap, Indian singer
• Abhijeet Kosambi, singer
• Surekha Punekar, Indian folk artist
• Adarsh Shinde (born 1988), singer, musician
• Vitthal Umap (1931–2010), singer

Italian

• Carmen Consoli, Italian singer and songwriter

Sport

Football

• Brett Kirk (born 1976), former Australian rules football player and current assistant coach.
• Fabien Barthez (1994–2006), French goalkeeper (Zen). He is the first Buddhist (Zen) Practicing footballer in the world to win the WorldCup and Euro.
• Mehmet Scholl German football manager and former player.
• Shunsuke Nakamura (born 1978), Japanese soccer player
• Sébastien Frey (born 1980), French former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Frey has credited former Fiorentina legend Roberto Baggio as one of his spiritual mentors. (Soka Gakkai International)
• Roberto Baggio (1988–2004), Italian footballer (Soka Gakkai International)
• Mario Balotelli Barwuah (born 1990), Italian professional footballer. He is studying Buddhism in a bid to find inner peace and has bought several copies of the dharma, the religion's teachings, and set up a quiet area with a statue of Buddha where he can meditate. (Pure Land Buddhism)
• Mehmet Scholl (born 1970), German football manager and former player. (Theravada)

Cricket

• Lasith Malinga (born 1981), Sri Lankan professional cricket player and Captain of T20 International cricket of Sri Lanka. (Theravada)
• Sanath Jayasuriya (born 1969), Sri Lankan batter.
• Tillakaratne Dilshan (born 1976), Sri Lankan cricket player who converted from Islam to Buddhism at the age of 16, previously known as Tuwan Muhammad Dilshan. (Theravada)
• Tillakaratne Sampath (born 1982), Sri Lankan cricket player previously known as Tuwan Mohammad Nishan Sampath
• Suraj Randiv (born 1985), Sri Lankan cricket player. (Theravada)

Swimming

• Anthony Ervin (born 1981), American gold medalist swimmer. (Zen)

Rugby

• Jonny Wilkinson (born 1979), English former rugby union player. (Thravada)
• Ricky Evans (born 1960), Welsh former international rugby union player.

Golf

• Tiger Woods, American golfer (Theravada)

Boxing

• Lucia Rijker, Dutch boxer

Military

• 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

• Penélope Cruz, Spanish actress and model
• George Dvorsky, Transhumanist, Futurist and a director of Humanity+ (Secular Buddhism)
• Jet Li, Chinese martial artist, Hollywood actor (Tibetan Buddhist)
• Naima Mora, American fashion model and winner of America's Next Top Model (Soka Gakkai International)
• Maya Soetoro-Ng, Indonesian American writer, university instructor and maternal half-sister of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States
• 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, Marvel Comics superheroine
• Xorn, Marvel Comics character and member of the X-Men
• Green Lama, 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, (Season 3, Episode 1) "The New Guy"
• Daryl Dixon, character from The Walking Dead, Episode 8 (Season 2, Episode 2) "Bloodletting"
• 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 Episode 275 (Season 13 Episode 6) "She of Little Faith"
  • Lenny and Carl and Carl Carlson, and Lenny Leonard
• 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, Zen sensei/teacher to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Hiro Nakamura, protagonist character in TV series Heroes
• Gi, Planeteer able to wield the element water
• Edina Monsoon (Eddy) from the Absolutely Fabulous TV sitcom
• The God character in South Park, episode "Probably"
• Charlie Crews, Zen Buddhist, protagonist of television series Life
• Buddha, character from Air Buddies
• Satomi Ito, Alpha Werewolf and leader of Buddhist werewolf pack in the television series Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)

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

• Awgatha
• Three Refuges
• Five precepts
• Dalit Buddhist movement
• Jewish Buddhists
• List of American Buddhists
• List of Marathi Buddhists
• List of converts to Buddhism
• List of converts to Buddhism from Christianity
• List of converts to Buddhism from Hinduism
• Outline of Buddhism