In Buddhist texts, such as the Lotus Sutra, Vimalkriti Sutra, and the Avatamsaka Sutra and many others, the Buddha describes gathering with many thousands of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas present, and is even stated the the number are actually uncountable. And in such texts, many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are mentioned by name, and some play important roles in the teachings of the Buddha. On this page we will recount the stories of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We will endeavor to constantly update the page and add more Buddhas and Bodhisattvas frequently. Although all Buddha has stated that every Buddha teaches the same Dharma, you may find yourself more drawn to one or another. Likewise, all Bodhisattvas have the primary goal of aiding sentient beings from suffering, but some have distinct qualities that you may find more drawn to that another. Many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas also have mantras and dharanis related to them that can aid in ones practice. Please check the Mantras page for a list of some mantras that have videos available on youtube. Since Shakyamuni Buddha is discussed in the first lesson, he will not be included in this list. Also, basically all the information on this site is from Shakyamuni Buddha, so the whole site is a memorial to him and his teachings. The following Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are listed in no particular order:
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha is known as the Buddha of Infinite Light. He is the Buddha of the Western Pure Land. Amitabha Buddha created the Western Pure Land as a world where people can go after their death if they wish solely to practice the Buddha Dharma and attain enlightenment. It is said that at the time of a death, if a person with a single mind calls out to Amitabha Buddha, then Amitabha Buddha will come with Guan Yin Pusa Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) representing the power of compassion, and Dashizhi Pusa (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva) representing the power of wisdom to take them to the Western Pure Land. Accoridng to the Lotus Sutra, Amitabha was once a son of the ancient Buddha known as Great Universal Wisdom Excellence Thus Comes One, and he along with his 15 brothers would all eventually become Buddhas in their own right, with one becoming the future Shakyamuni Buddha. And just as Shakyamuni Buddha praises Amitabha Buddha for his great deeds in creating the Western Pure Lands, Amitabha and other Buddhas praise Shakyamuni for teaching the dharma to the people of this Saha world.
Maitreya Bodhisattva
Although Maitreya is often referred to as a Buddha by many people, he is actually still at present a Bodhisattva. According to the Buddha, in the distant future, when the Dharma taught by Shakyamuni has vanished from the earth, Maitrya will become the next Buddha and come to our world to teach the Dhrama anew. As he will become the next Buddha, Maitreya is currently residing in Tushita Heaven one of the other realms described in Buddhist texts, as the realm all Bodhisattvas go before finally achieving final enlightenment and becoming a Buddha.
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Medicine Buddha
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
Manjushri Bodhisattva
Medicine King Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva
Amitabha Buddha
Amitabha Buddha is known as the Buddha of Infinite Light. He is the Buddha of the Western Pure Land. Amitabha Buddha created the Western Pure Land as a world where people can go after their death if they wish solely to practice the Buddha Dharma and attain enlightenment. It is said that at the time of a death, if a person with a single mind calls out to Amitabha Buddha, then Amitabha Buddha will come with Guan Yin Pusa Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) representing the power of compassion, and Dashizhi Pusa (Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva) representing the power of wisdom to take them to the Western Pure Land. Accoridng to the Lotus Sutra, Amitabha was once a son of the ancient Buddha known as Great Universal Wisdom Excellence Thus Comes One, and he along with his 15 brothers would all eventually become Buddhas in their own right, with one becoming the future Shakyamuni Buddha. And just as Shakyamuni Buddha praises Amitabha Buddha for his great deeds in creating the Western Pure Lands, Amitabha and other Buddhas praise Shakyamuni for teaching the dharma to the people of this Saha world.
Maitreya Bodhisattva
Although Maitreya is often referred to as a Buddha by many people, he is actually still at present a Bodhisattva. According to the Buddha, in the distant future, when the Dharma taught by Shakyamuni has vanished from the earth, Maitrya will become the next Buddha and come to our world to teach the Dhrama anew. As he will become the next Buddha, Maitreya is currently residing in Tushita Heaven one of the other realms described in Buddhist texts, as the realm all Bodhisattvas go before finally achieving final enlightenment and becoming a Buddha.
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva
Medicine Buddha
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
Manjushri Bodhisattva
Medicine King Bodhisattva
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva