Buddhism includes a wide array of divine beings that are venerated in various ritual and popular contexts. Initially they included mainly Indian figures such as devas, asuras and yakshas, but later came to include other Asian spirits and local gods (like the Burmese nats and the Japanese kami). They range from enlightened Buddhas to regional spirits adopted by Buddhists or practiced on the margins of the religion.
Buddhists later also came to incorporate aspects from the countries to which it spread. As such, it includes many aspects taken from other mythologies of those cultures.
Buddhas
A Buddha is a being who is fully awakened and has fully comprehended the Four Noble Truths. In the Theravada tradition, while there is a list of acknowledged past Buddhas, the historical Buddha Sakyamuni is the only Buddha of our current era and is generally not seen as accessible or as existing in some higher plane of existence. The Pali literature of the Theravāda tradition includes tales of twenty-nine Buddhas, which are Sakyamuni and the twenty-eight Buddhas who preceded him.
Mahayana Buddhists venerate numerous Buddhas, more so than the Theravada tradition, including Maitreya and Amitābha, who are seen as beings of great wisdom and power who preside over pure lands that one can travel to after death. Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions also recognize five primary Buddhas:
Vairocana ("the Illuminator"), a key figure in the Avatamsaka Sutra and the Vairocanābhisaṃbodhi Sūtra. He is the central Buddha in Huayan Buddhism, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism, and Shingon. His pure land is known as the Padmagarbhalokadhātu (the lotus treasury world) and also as "Densely Arrayed Akaniṣṭha" (Ghanavyūhakaniṣṭha). Akshobhya ("the Imperturbable"), his buddha-field is Abhirati (lit. "The Joyous"). Amitābha (Amida Buddha, "Infinite Light"), the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. His buddha field is called Sukhāvatī ("Blissful"). Amoghasiddhi ("Infallible Success") Ratnasambhava ("Jewel Born")
Each is associated with a different consort, direction, aggregate (or aspect of the personality), emotion, element, color, symbol, and mount. In later, especially tantric sources, each male Buddha is associated with a specific female Buddha (though their names and attributes vary across the various Buddhist sources). Here is one common list of the five female Buddhas (also called prajñās, or vidyas):Vessantara (2014), Female Deities in Buddhism. Windhorse Publications.
Ākāśadhātvīśvarī ("The Sovereign Lady of the Sphere of Infinite Space"), the prajñā of Vairocana Locanā, the prajñā of Akṣobhya Māmakī ("Mine-maker"), the prajñā of Ratnasambhava Paṇḍāravāsinī ("White Robed One"), the prajñā of Amitabha Tārā ('Star"), sometimes associated with Amoghasiddhi, sometimes Amitabha
In Tibetan Buddhism, several female Buddhas are also recognized, such as Tara, the most popular female Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism, who comes in many forms and colors. Other female Buddha figures include Vajrayogini, Nairatmya, and Kurukullā.
Other Buddhas besides these five include Bhaisajyaguru (the Buddha of medicine) and Nageshvara Raja (the king of the Nāgas).
There is also the idea of the Adi-Buddha, the "first Buddha" to attain Buddhahood. Variously named as Vajradhara, Samantabhadra, and Mahavairocana, the first Buddha is also associated with the concept of Dharmakaya and the Ground of all phenomena.
Some historical figures are also seen as Buddhas, such as the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (sometimes called the second Buddha) and the figure of Padmasambhava.
Bodhisattvas
In Theravada Buddhism, bodhisatta is a term used mainly for Sakyamuni Buddha before his awakening. It is also commonly believed that the future Buddha, Maitreya (Pali: Metteya) currently resides in Tushita Heaven, and this figure is one of the few bodhisattvas who have a prominent place in Theravada.
In Mahayana Buddhism, a bodhisattva is any being that has aroused bodhicitta (mind of awakening) and is thus working towards full Buddhahood. Bodhisattvas who are seen as powerful and highly advanced are highly venerated in this tradition.
In India, a list known as the "Eight Close Sons" (Skt. aṣṭa utaputra) became the main set of bodhisattvas of Shakyamuni Buddha's entourage, they are:Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, Dalai Lama XIV, Dalai Lama, Santideva (1994). A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night: A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, pp. 128-129, note 23. Shambhala.Wang, Michelle C. (2017) Maṇḍalas in the Making: The Visual Culture of Esoteric Buddhism at Dunhuang, p. 158. BRILL.
Mañjuśrī ("Gentle Glory") Kumarabhuta ("Young Prince"), the main bodhisattva of wisdom Avalokiteśvara ("Lord who gazes down at the world"), the savior bodhisattva of great compassion Vajrapāṇi ("Vajra in hand"), the bodhisattva of protection, the protector of the Buddha (in East Asian sources, this slot is taken by Mahāsthāmaprāpta, though Vajrapāṇi is also found in these traditions) Maitreya ("Friendly One"), will become the Buddha of our world in the future Kṣitigarbha ("Earth Source"), known as the savior of beings from hell Ākāśagarbha ("Space Source") also known as Gaganagañja, associated with the space element (ākāśa). Sarvanivāraṇaviṣkambhin ("He who blocks the hindrances") Samantabhadra ("Universal Worthy", or "All Good"), associated with vows In Tibetan Buddhism, a Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, the major bodhisattvas are these "eight great bodhisattvas".
The bodhisattva Prajñāpāramitā-devi is a female personification of the perfection of wisdom and the Prajñāpāramitā sutras. She became an important figure, widely depicted in Indian Buddhist art. She is the main female bodhisattva in Indian sources. Other Mahayana sutras also depict female bodhisattvas, such as The Lion's Roar of Śrīmālādevī.
Other male bodhisattvas appearing in Indian sources include Candraprabha, Suryaprabha, Bhaiṣajyasamudgata, Bhaiṣajyarāja, Akṣayamati, and Vajrasattva. There are also other female bodhisattvas like Tara, Ushnishavijaya, Vasudhara and Cundi.
In the East Asian Buddhist traditions, which are mainly Mahayana, major bodhisattvas include many of the above: Guānyīn (Japanese: Kannon), Maitreya (Chinese: Mílè, Jp: Miroku), Samantabhadra (Ch: Pǔxián, Jp: Fugen), Manjushri (Wénshū), Ksitigarbha (Ch: Jìzàng Jp: Jizō), and Akasagarbha. The most popular bodhisattva in the East Asian pantheon is surely Guānyīn (the East Asian form of the Indian Avalokitesvara) who is depicted as female in East Asia, rather than as the Indian male Avalokitesvara. Guanyin is also believed by Buddhists to take on numerous manifestations, among which are several other bodhisattvas such as Cundi and Cintamanicakra.
In addition, Buddhist traditions in different countries have also absorbed native deities into their localized Buddhist pantheon, sometimes as Bodhisattvas. Some examples are Guan Yu in Chinese Buddhism, who is venerated as Sangharama Bodhisattva (Chinese: 伽藍菩薩; Pinyin: Qiélán Púsà) as well as a deity, and Hachiman in Japanese Buddhism, who is venerated as the Bodhisattva Hachiman (Japanese: 八幡大菩薩; Rōmaji: Hachiman Daibosatsu).
Certain historical figures have been considered to be bodhisattvas, like Nagarjuna. Followers of Tibetan Buddhism consider reborn tulkus such as the Dalai Lamas and the Karmapas to be emanations of bodhisattvas. East Asian Buddhist traditions may venerate certain historical figures as bodhisattvas, such as Kukai in the Shingon school.
Protector deities In Buddhism, there is a class of deities whose main role is to act as guardians, protectors or general removers of evil. Some of these are unique to Buddhism and others are Indian deities that Buddhism shares with Hinduism.
In Mahayana Buddhism there are numerous "dharma protectors" (S. dharmapāla, T. chos skyong; C. fahu 法護), powerful beings who are defenders of Buddhism and protectors of Buddhists against evil or harm.Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, pp. 249-250. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013. There are two main types of protectors, mundane worldly protectors (who may be devas or spirits) and supramundane awakened protectors, bodhisattvas or buddhas who appear in a specific form to defend the Dharma. The former includes numerous devas such Brahmā and Indra, as well as local spirits and gods that have been adopted by Buddhism. The latter type include popular wrathful deities like: Yamantaka, Ekajaṭī, Mahākāla, Palden Lhamo, and Hayagrīva.
Guardians of the world
The four "guardians of the world" (lokapāla), also known as the Four Heavenly Kings (Cāturmahārāja), are four deities (devas) who protect the four directions of the Sahā world (our world). Each guardian rules over a specific direction and also a class of non-human beings. These guardian deities are found in the earliest Buddhist sources and are shared by Mahayana and Theravada. The four guardians are:Buswell, Robert E; Lopez, Donald S. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, pp. 230-233. Princeton University Press, Nov 24, 2013.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Sanskrit; Pali: Dhataraṭṭha) - Guardian of the East. Leader of the gandharvas and piśācas. Virūḍhaka (P: Virūḷhaka) - Guardian of the South. Leader of the kumbhāṇḍas and pretas. Virūpākṣa (P: Virūpakkha) - Guardian of the West. Leader of the nāgas and pūtanas. Vaiśravaṇa (P: Vessavaṇa) - Guardian of the North. Leader of the yakṣas and rākṣasas.
Wisdom King
The Wisdom Kings (Sanskrit: Vidyārāja) are beings that are venerated in East Asian Buddhism and in Vajrayana Buddhism. They are often depicted with an aggressive or fierce appearance which symbolizes their power to get rid of negative forces. They are thus often seen as an expression of the Buddha's compassion.
In East Asian Buddhism, The Five Wisdom Kings are often seen as emanations of the Buddhas. These five are: Vajrayakṣa Acala Trailokyavijaya Kuṇḍali Yamantaka Other important Wisdom Kings include
Ucchuṣma Hayagriva Āṭavaka Rāgarāja Aparajita Mahachakra Padanaksipa
Five Protector Goddesses The Pañcarakṣā ("Five Protectors") are five protector goddesses which are important in Mahayana Buddhism, the term also refers to their dhāraṇīs.
These five protective dhāraṇī-goddesses are:
Mahāpratisarā (known for protection against defilements, disease, and evils), Mahāsahasrapramardinī (for protection against evil spirits), Mahāmāyūrī or vidyārājñī (for protection against snake-poison), Mahāśītavatī (for protection against 'cruel' planets, cruel animals, and poisonous insects), and Mahārakṣā mantrānusāriṇī (for protection against diseases).
Mundane Dharmapalas
In Chinese Buddhism, there is a list of Twenty-Four Protective Deities (Chinese: 二十四諸天; pinyin: Èrshísì Zhūtiān). These are mostly mundane dharmapalas:
Maheśvara (Shiva) Brahma Śakra (Indra) Lakshmi Sarasvati Vaiśravaṇa Virūḍhaka Dhṛtarāṣṭra Virūpākṣa Surya Chandra Guhyapāda Pañcika Skanda Pṛthvī Spirit of the Bodhi Tree Hārītī Mārīcī Sāgara Yama Kinnara King Emperor Zi Wei Emperor Dongyue Thunder God
Devas