Notable People in Buddhism

An introductory list of important people in Buddhism. This will be expanded much further as time permits.

Ananda

The Buddha's cousin and one of his primary disciples. He memorized and recited the Buddha's teachings, and so was known as the Dhammabhandagarika, "treasurer of the teachings."

Gautama

The given name of the historical Buddha.

Sakyamuni

"Sage of the Sakya tribe." Another name for the historical Buddha.

Sources

1. John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000).
2. Damien Keown, Oxford Dictionary of Buddhism (Oxford UP, 2003).
3. Jonathan Landlaw and Stephen Bodian, Buddhism for Dummies (Wiley, 2003).
4. "Buddhism."  Encyclopædia Britannica (Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service, 2004).