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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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"
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
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
Nyanatiloka Mahathera, (1878–1957), translated several important Theravadin Pali texts into German, also wrote a Pali grammar, an anthology, and a Buddhist dictionary
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
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
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)
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[update] and describes it as an "essential part" of his life.[24][25] (
Soka Gakkai International)
Alex Ferns (born 13 October 1968) is a Scottish actor and television personality. His EastEnders role as
Trevor Morgan was described as "Britain's most-hated
soap villain", when he played the role between 2000 and 2002.[56][57]
Tom Baker (born 1934), British actor and writer.[58]
Naomi Watts, British-Australian actress and film producer[72]
Anulka Dziubinska, is an English actress and model. She was featured as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in May 1973.[73]
Zhang Tielin (born 15 June 1957) is a British actor and film director. He is best known for portraying the
Qianlong Emperor in the first two seasons of the Chinese television series My Fair Princess.[74]
Rula Lenska[76][77] (born 30 September 1947) is a British actress. She mainly appears in British stage and television productions and is known in the United States for a series of
television advertisements in the 1970s and 1980s.
Andy Lau, actor, singer-songwriter and film producer. He has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time.[79][80]
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."[86][87][88] (
Nichiren Buddhism)
Combat Jack (known professionally as Combat Jack; 1964–2017), Haitian-American hip hop music attorney, executive, journalist, editor and podcaster.[117]
Gary Glitter, is an English former
glam rock singer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s.During the 1980s Glitter became a
Buddhist and a vegetarian.[133]
Richard Batsford (born 25 October 1969) is an English pianist, composer and singer-songwriter.A further concert in 2010 at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre saw the same collaboration.[137]
Kim Do-hoon,(born 21 July 1970) is a South Korean professional
football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Singaporean club
Lion City Sailors before his 11 August 2022 resignation.
Kim Eun-jung ,(born 8 April 1979) is a South Korean retired
footballer who played as a
striker. He is currently a coach at
Tubize after joining the team in 2015 as a youth scout.[154]
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)[170]
Tillakaratne Sampath (born 1982), Sri Lankan cricket player previously known as Tuwan Mohammad Nishan Sampath
Grace Park (born 6 March 1979) is a retired
South Korean professional
golfer on the
LPGA Tour. She was a member of the LPGA Tour from 2000 until her retirement in 2012 and won six LPGA Tour events, including one
major championship, during her career.[178][179]
Bae Sang-moon (1986- ), is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the
PGA Tour.
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"
^Annabella Lewin – AboutArchived 18 July 2023 at the
Wayback Machine, Annabellalwin.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019: "working behind the scenes for global charities like UNICEF and Save the Children Fund, through Buddhist organization SGI" and "Her ongoing Buddhist practice continues to enhance and inform her artistic sensibilities"
^The United States Court of Claims: a history / pt. 1. The judges, 1855-1976 / by
Marion T. Bennett / pt. 2. Origin, development, jurisdiction, 1855-1978 / W. Cowen, P. Nichols, M.T. Bennett. Washington, D.C.: Committee on the Bicentennial of Independence and the Constitution of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 1976. pp. 204–206 of pt. 1.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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"
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
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
Nyanatiloka Mahathera, (1878–1957), translated several important Theravadin Pali texts into German, also wrote a Pali grammar, an anthology, and a Buddhist dictionary
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
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
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)
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[update] and describes it as an "essential part" of his life.[24][25] (
Soka Gakkai International)
Alex Ferns (born 13 October 1968) is a Scottish actor and television personality. His EastEnders role as
Trevor Morgan was described as "Britain's most-hated
soap villain", when he played the role between 2000 and 2002.[56][57]
Tom Baker (born 1934), British actor and writer.[58]
Naomi Watts, British-Australian actress and film producer[72]
Anulka Dziubinska, is an English actress and model. She was featured as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month in May 1973.[73]
Zhang Tielin (born 15 June 1957) is a British actor and film director. He is best known for portraying the
Qianlong Emperor in the first two seasons of the Chinese television series My Fair Princess.[74]
Rula Lenska[76][77] (born 30 September 1947) is a British actress. She mainly appears in British stage and television productions and is known in the United States for a series of
television advertisements in the 1970s and 1980s.
Andy Lau, actor, singer-songwriter and film producer. He has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time.[79][80]
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."[86][87][88] (
Nichiren Buddhism)
Combat Jack (known professionally as Combat Jack; 1964–2017), Haitian-American hip hop music attorney, executive, journalist, editor and podcaster.[117]
Gary Glitter, is an English former
glam rock singer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s.During the 1980s Glitter became a
Buddhist and a vegetarian.[133]
Richard Batsford (born 25 October 1969) is an English pianist, composer and singer-songwriter.A further concert in 2010 at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre saw the same collaboration.[137]
Kim Do-hoon,(born 21 July 1970) is a South Korean professional
football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Singaporean club
Lion City Sailors before his 11 August 2022 resignation.
Kim Eun-jung ,(born 8 April 1979) is a South Korean retired
footballer who played as a
striker. He is currently a coach at
Tubize after joining the team in 2015 as a youth scout.[154]
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)[170]
Tillakaratne Sampath (born 1982), Sri Lankan cricket player previously known as Tuwan Mohammad Nishan Sampath
Grace Park (born 6 March 1979) is a retired
South Korean professional
golfer on the
LPGA Tour. She was a member of the LPGA Tour from 2000 until her retirement in 2012 and won six LPGA Tour events, including one
major championship, during her career.[178][179]
Bae Sang-moon (1986- ), is a South Korean professional golfer who plays on the
PGA Tour.
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"
^Annabella Lewin – AboutArchived 18 July 2023 at the
Wayback Machine, Annabellalwin.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019: "working behind the scenes for global charities like UNICEF and Save the Children Fund, through Buddhist organization SGI" and "Her ongoing Buddhist practice continues to enhance and inform her artistic sensibilities"
^The United States Court of Claims: a history / pt. 1. The judges, 1855-1976 / by
Marion T. Bennett / pt. 2. Origin, development, jurisdiction, 1855-1978 / W. Cowen, P. Nichols, M.T. Bennett. Washington, D.C.: Committee on the Bicentennial of Independence and the Constitution of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 1976. pp. 204–206 of pt. 1.