Who's Who in Buddhism
Source:http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/buddhism/buddhism-whos-who.cfm and http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/buddhism/buddhism-glossary.cfm with revisions
Buddhas
"Buddha" refers to a fully awakened or enlightened being. The Indian sage Shakyamuni came to be known as the Buddha, but with the development of the Mahayanist pantheon, other Buddhas were also recognized. While each Buddha has a specific iconography, there are certain characteristics that many share.
They are often dressed in simple robes suggestive of Shakyamuni's mendicant existence. They have elongated, pierced ears, in reference to his renunciation of material wealth such as heavy earrings. The most common pose is the seated, full lotus position, but standing images are also plentiful. Having achieved nirvana, they seem withdrawn from worldly concerns and give the impression of great calm and introspection. As the historic Buddha is said to have exhibited "thirty-two features and eighty characteristics" which marked him as a divine being, any number of these features may also be included. Some common characteristics are the urna (Pronunciation: "OOR-nah"), a curl of hair on the forehead sometimes represented by a golden disc or inlaid crystal, the ushnisha (Pronunciation: "oosh-NEESH-aah") a protuberance on the head, indicating his superior wisdom), a reverse swastika on his chest, and webbed hands and feet.
Frequently encountered Buddhas include:
A. Shakyamuni
(Pronunciation: "SHAHK-yah-MOO-nee") The Historical Buddha, who lived in the 5th Century B.C.(Chinese: Shih-chia; Japanese: Shaka), the Historical Buddha, was born in the 5th century B.C. in Lumbini (present-day Nepal), achieved enlightenment at the age of thirty-five, and spent the remaining forty-five years of his life preaching his doctrine of salvation to others.
(Pronunciation: "SHAHK-yah-MOO-nee") The Historical Buddha, who lived in the 5th Century B.C.(Chinese: Shih-chia; Japanese: Shaka), the Historical Buddha, was born in the 5th century B.C. in Lumbini (present-day Nepal), achieved enlightenment at the age of thirty-five, and spent the remaining forty-five years of his life preaching his doctrine of salvation to others.
B. Maitreya
(Pronunciation: "mye-TRAY-ah") The Buddha of the Future. (Chinese: Mi-lo; Japanese: Miroku), the Buddha of the Future, believed to reside in the Tushita Heaven until it is time for him to succeed Shakyamuni as the next incarnation of Buddhahood on earth.
(Pronunciation: "mye-TRAY-ah") The Buddha of the Future. (Chinese: Mi-lo; Japanese: Miroku), the Buddha of the Future, believed to reside in the Tushita Heaven until it is time for him to succeed Shakyamuni as the next incarnation of Buddhahood on earth.
C. Amida/Amitabha
(Pronunciation: "ah-MEE-dah") The Buddha of Infinite Light. Creator of the Pure Land or Western Paradise, a place where beings can strive toward enlightenment free from the pain and suffering associated with life on earth. Chinese: A-mi-t'o-p'o ("ah-mee-TOH-poh"); Sanskrit: Amitabha ("ah-mee-TAH-bah").
(Pronunciation: "ah-MEE-dah") The Buddha of Infinite Light. Creator of the Pure Land or Western Paradise, a place where beings can strive toward enlightenment free from the pain and suffering associated with life on earth. Chinese: A-mi-t'o-p'o ("ah-mee-TOH-poh"); Sanskrit: Amitabha ("ah-mee-TAH-bah").
D. Bhaishajyaguru
(Pronunciation: "bye-SHAH-jah-goo-roo") The "Medicine" Buddha; Buddha of Healing. Chinese: Yao-shih ("YOW-shur"); Japanese: Yakushi ("YAHK-shee"). He is believed to reside over Eastern Paradise (a position sometimes occupied by Akshobhya) and to dispense spiritual and physical medicine.
(Pronunciation: "bye-SHAH-jah-goo-roo") The "Medicine" Buddha; Buddha of Healing. Chinese: Yao-shih ("YOW-shur"); Japanese: Yakushi ("YAHK-shee"). He is believed to reside over Eastern Paradise (a position sometimes occupied by Akshobhya) and to dispense spiritual and physical medicine.
E. Vairocana
(Pronunciation: "vai-ROH-chah-nah") The Supreme or Cosmic Buddha, from which—in some Buddhist traditions (e.g. Huayan)—all other Buddhas emanate. Chinese: P'i-lu-che-na ("pea-LOO-juh-nah"); Japanese: Roshana ("ROH-shah-nah"). He is the the Cosmic Buddha, is central figure among the five transcendental Buddhas, considered to be the Supreme or Cosmic Buddha from which all others emanate. Consequently, he is sometimes depicted wearing a crown and surrounded by a mandorla comprised of miniature Buddhas.
(Pronunciation: "vai-ROH-chah-nah") The Supreme or Cosmic Buddha, from which—in some Buddhist traditions (e.g. Huayan)—all other Buddhas emanate. Chinese: P'i-lu-che-na ("pea-LOO-juh-nah"); Japanese: Roshana ("ROH-shah-nah"). He is the the Cosmic Buddha, is central figure among the five transcendental Buddhas, considered to be the Supreme or Cosmic Buddha from which all others emanate. Consequently, he is sometimes depicted wearing a crown and surrounded by a mandorla comprised of miniature Buddhas.
 Seated Buddha |  The Buddha Sakayamuni |  Amida Buddha | |||
Bodhisattvas
Divine beings that, although enlightened, deny themselves Buddhahood in order to help others along the path to enlightenment. Still tied to the material world in this manner, they are usually represented in sumptuous garments and adorned with jewelry and crowns (a reference to Shakyamuni's earthly existence). Bodhisattvas are usually represented as extremely calm and benevolent beings.
Some frequently encountered Bodhisattvas include:
A. Kannon / Avalokiteshvara
(Pronunciation: "KAH-nohn"; ("ah-vah-loh-kee-TESH-vah-rah").) The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Chinese: Kuan-yin ("GWAHN-yeen"); Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara. He is the most popular of all bodhisattvas, beloved for his infinite compassion. Together with Mahasthamaprapta/Seishi, he attends Amitabha when he welcomes the souls of the deceased into the Pure Land.
(Pronunciation: "KAH-nohn"; ("ah-vah-loh-kee-TESH-vah-rah").) The Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Chinese: Kuan-yin ("GWAHN-yeen"); Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara. He is the most popular of all bodhisattvas, beloved for his infinite compassion. Together with Mahasthamaprapta/Seishi, he attends Amitabha when he welcomes the souls of the deceased into the Pure Land.
B. Seishi / Mahasthamaprapta
(Pronunciation: "SAY-shee"/ "MAH-hah-stah-mah-PRAHP-tah") The Bodhisattva of Extreme Strength. Chinese: Shih-chih ("SHUHR-juhr"); Japanese: Seishi; Sanksrit: Mahasthamaprapta
(Pronunciation: "SAY-shee"/ "MAH-hah-stah-mah-PRAHP-tah") The Bodhisattva of Extreme Strength. Chinese: Shih-chih ("SHUHR-juhr"); Japanese: Seishi; Sanksrit: Mahasthamaprapta
C. Manjusri
(Pronunciation: "mahn-joo-SHREE") The Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Chinese: Wen-shu ("WEN-shoo"); Japanese: Monju ("MOHN-joo"). He is believed to have been a disciple of Shakyamuni. With Samantabhadra, he represents the two elemental aspects of Buddhism: Wisdom and Compassion. He is often depicted holding a sword and/or a lotus, and seated on a lion.
(Pronunciation: "mahn-joo-SHREE") The Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Chinese: Wen-shu ("WEN-shoo"); Japanese: Monju ("MOHN-joo"). He is believed to have been a disciple of Shakyamuni. With Samantabhadra, he represents the two elemental aspects of Buddhism: Wisdom and Compassion. He is often depicted holding a sword and/or a lotus, and seated on a lion.
D. Samantabhadra
(Pronunciation: "sah-mahn-tah-BAHD-rah") The Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness/Truth and Practice Chinese: P'u-hsien ("POOH-shehn"); Japanese: Fugen ("foo-GEN").
(Pronunciation: "sah-mahn-tah-BAHD-rah") The Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness/Truth and Practice Chinese: P'u-hsien ("POOH-shehn"); Japanese: Fugen ("foo-GEN").
E. Jizo / Ksitigarbha
(Pronunciation: "jee-ZOH") A Bodhisattva who comes to the aid of people condemned to the torments of hell. Jizo is also worshiped independently as a protector of children and pregnant women. Chinese: Ti-tsang ("DEE-dzahng"); Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha ("ksih-tee-GAHR-bah"). He is also worshipped as a savior to those condemned to the torments of hell. Since the 10th century, he has been portrayed as a young, itinerant monk who carries a pilgrim's staff and a wish-granting jewel. On a popular level, he is also believed to assist the wayward souls of deceased children.
(Pronunciation: "jee-ZOH") A Bodhisattva who comes to the aid of people condemned to the torments of hell. Jizo is also worshiped independently as a protector of children and pregnant women. Chinese: Ti-tsang ("DEE-dzahng"); Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha ("ksih-tee-GAHR-bah"). He is also worshipped as a savior to those condemned to the torments of hell. Since the 10th century, he has been portrayed as a young, itinerant monk who carries a pilgrim's staff and a wish-granting jewel. On a popular level, he is also believed to assist the wayward souls of deceased children.
Vidyarajas (Japanese: Myo-o)(Pronunciation: "veed-yah-RAH-jah") "Kings of Knowlege," fierce and protective deities who frighten away evil spirits and destroy harmful passions. Chinese: Ming-wang ("MING-wang"); Japanese: Myo-o ("MYOH-oh"). Like bodhisattvas, they are enlightened beings committed to the salvation of mankind, but who are angry at humankind's indifference to the Buddha's Law. While they are often dressed similarly to bodhisattvas, they are frightening in appearance with flaming halos, angry expressions, bulging eyes and barred fangs.A. Acalanatha, Lord Acala (Chinese: Pu-tung; Japanese: Fudo)
C. Kundali (Chinese: Chun-t'u-li; Japanese: Gundari) D. Yamantaka (Pronunciation: "YAH-mahn-tah-kah"; Chinese: Ta-wei-te ("dah-WEH-duh"); Japanese: Daiitoku ("DIE-toh-koo"). The Conqueror of Death—believed to be a manifestation of the ultimate wisdom which overcomes evil, suffering and death. In Vajrayana Buddhism, he is frequently depicted as a buffalo- or horse-headed demon. | |||||||||||||||||||
E. Vajrayaksa (Chinese: Chin-kang-ch'a; Japanese: Kongoyasha)''
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