Infinite Buddhas

Buddha statues

(Image: Source unknown)

According to the teachings of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, there are an infinite number of buddhas (i.e. beings that have attained perfect enlightenment) in the universe. It is believed that there have been many different buddhas in the past preceding Shakyamuni (i.e. Siddhartha Gautama, born 5th or 6th century BCE)  the buddha of our earthly history  and there will be many more buddhas in the coming future. In the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, all sentient beings have buddha nature which is the innate potential to achieve supreme enlightenment. So because there are countless sentient beings in the universe, there are also countless buddhas. In the infinity of time and space, there have been, and there will always be, an endless number of beings that attain perfect enlightenment.

Theravada Buddhism

Even in the texts of the earlier Theravada Buddhist school, Lord Buddha (Shakyamuni) had spoken about many past buddhas that existed before himself. These past buddhas are trans-historical buddhas, which means that their stories occurred long ago in an age that predates our own time period and therefore crosses beyond the limits of our own recorded human history.

Seven Buddhas

For example, the group of the most recent seven buddhas (i.e. Shakyamuni and the six buddhas that preceded him) is mentioned in the Atanatiya Sutta (阿達那帝亞守護經 Adanadiya Shouhu Jing) which is contained in the Digha Nikaya (Collection of Long Discourses of the Buddha) (長阿含經 Chang Ahan Jing).

The 7 Buddhas of the Past

(Image: Dharma Master Yilin 依林法師繪)

The names of the Seven Buddhas of the Past (過去七佛 Guoqu Qi Fo) are listed below in their Indian Pali and Sanskrit names, followed by their Chinese transliterations:

1) Vipassi (Pali)/Vipashyin (Sanskrit) Buddha (毘婆尸佛 Piposhi Fo)

2) Sikhi/Shikhin Buddha (尸棄佛 Shiqi Fo)

3) Vessabhu/Vishvabhu Buddha (毘舍浮佛 Pishefu Fo)

4) Kakusandha/Krakucchanda Buddha (拘留孫佛 Juliusun Fo)

5) Konagamana/Kanakamuni Buddha (拘那含牟尼佛 Junahan Mouni Fo)

6) Kassapa/Kashyapa Buddha (迦葉佛 Jiaye Fo)

7) Gotama/Gautama Buddha (喬達摩佛 Qiaodamo Fo), aka Shakyamuni Buddha (釋迦牟尼佛 Shijia Mouni Fo)

Twenty Eight Buddhas

Another group of twenty-eight buddhas (i.e. Shakyamuni and the twenty-seven buddhas that preceded him) is found in the Buddhavamsa (History of the Buddhas) (佛種姓經 Fo Zhongxing Jing) which is contained in the Khuddaka Nikaya (Collection of Minor Discourses of the Buddha) (小阿含經 Xiao Ahan Jing).

The Twenty-eight Buddhas of the Past (過去二十八佛 Guoqu Ershiba Fo) are:

1) Tanhankara Buddha (單罕伽羅佛 Danhan Jialuo Fo)

2) Medhankara Buddha (美單伽羅佛 Meidan Jialuo Fo)

3) Saranankara Buddha (沙羅難伽羅佛 Shaluo Nanjialuo Fo)

4) Dipamkara/Dipankara Buddha (提槃迦羅佛 Tipan Jialuo Fo)

5) Kondanna/Kaundinya Buddha (孔達尼耶佛 Kongda Niye Fo)

6) Mangala Buddha (曼伽羅佛 Manjialuo Fo)

7) Sumana Buddha (須曼那佛 Xumanna Fo)

8) Revata Buddha (麗瓦陀佛 Liwatuo Fo)

9) Sobhita Buddha (須毘陀佛 Xupituo Fo)

10) Anomadassi Buddha (阿諾摩達西佛 Anuo Modaxi Fo)

11) Paduma Buddha (婆睹摩佛 Podumo Fo)

12) Narada Buddha (那羅陀佛 Naluotuo Fo)

13) Padumuttara Buddha (跋陀無陀羅佛 Batuo Motuoluo Fo)

14) Sumedha Buddha (須美陀佛 Xumeituo Fo)

15) Sujata Buddha (須闍陀佛 Xushetuo Fo)

16) Piyadassi Buddha (毘耶達西佛 Piye Daxi Fo)

17) Atthadassi Buddha (阿陀達西佛 Atuo Daxi Fo)

18) Dhammadassi Buddha (達摩達西佛 Damo Daxi Fo)

19) Siddharttha Buddha (悉達陀佛 Xidatuo Fo)

20) Tissa Buddha (帝沙佛 Disha Fo)

21) Phussa Buddha (普沙佛 Pusha Fo)

22) Vipassi/Vipashyin Buddha (毘婆尸佛 Piposhi Fo)

23) Sikhi/Shikhin Buddha (尸棄佛 Shiqi Fo)

24) Vessabhu/Vishvabhu Buddha (毘舍浮佛 Pishefu Fo)

25) Kakusandha/Krakucchanda Buddha (拘留孫佛 Juliusun Fo)

26) Konagamana/Kanakamuni Buddha (拘那含牟尼佛 Junahan Mouni Fo)

27) Kassapa/Kashyapa Buddha (迦葉佛 Jiaye Fo)

28) Gotama/Gautama Buddha (喬達摩佛 Qiaodamo Fo), aka Shakyamuni Buddha (釋迦牟尼佛 Shijia Mouni Fo)

Mahayana Buddhism

Expanding on this concept, the texts of Mahayana Buddhism also teaches about many different buddhas and groups of buddhas.

Five Wisdom Buddhas

The 5 Wisdom Buddhas

(Image: Source unknown)

For example, in Mahayana Buddhism, there are the well known Five Wisdom Buddhas/Tathagatas (五智如來 Wuzhi Rulai), also known as the Buddhas of the Five Directions (五方佛 Wufang Fo). They are:

1) Akshobhya Buddha (阿閦埤佛 Achupi Fo) of the East

2) Ratnasambhava Buddha (寶生佛 Baosheng Fo) of the South

3) Amitabha Buddha (阿彌陀佛 Amituo Fo) of the West

4) Amoghasiddhi Buddha (不空成就佛 Bukong Chengjiu Fo) of the North

5) Vairochana Buddha (毘盧遮那佛 Piluzhena Fo) of the Center

Seven Buddhas of Healing

Lord Buddha Shakyamuni (top) and the 7 Buddhas of Healing

(Image: Dharma Master Yilin 依林法師繪)

There is a group of seven healing buddhas (i.e. medicine buddhas) mentioned in the Sutra of the Merits of the Fundamental Vows of the Seven Master of Healing Buddhas of Lapis Lazuli Light (藥師琉璃光七佛本願功德經 Yaoshi Liuli Guang Qifo Benyuan Gongde Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T14 No. 451).

The Seven Master of Healing Buddhas (藥師七佛 Yaoshi Qifo) are:

1. Buddha the Monarch of Virtuous Renown and Auspiciousness (善名稱吉祥王佛 Shan Mingcheng Jixiang Wang Fo)

2. Buddha the Unrestrained Monarch of the Precious Moon, Wisdom, and Rigorous Light and Sound (寶月智嚴光音自在王佛 Baoyue Zhiyan Guangyin Zizai Wang Fo)

3. Buddha of Golden Precious Light, Wonderful Conduct, and Accomplishments (金色寶光妙行成就佛 Jinse Baoguang Miaoxing Chengjiu Fo)

4. Buddha of Supreme Auspiciousness that is Free from Sorrow (無憂最勝吉祥佛 Wuyou Zuisheng Jixiang Fo)

5. Buddha of the Dharma Ocean that is like the Sound of Thunder (法海雷音佛 Fahai Leiyin Fo)

6. Buddha of the Dharma Ocean of Victorious Wisdom and Supernatural Powers in Which to Take Delight (法海勝慧遊戲神通佛 Fahai Shenghui Youxi Shentong Fo)

7. Buddha the Master of Healing of Lapis Lazuli Light (藥師琉璃光佛 Yaoshi Liuli Guang Fo)

[List of 7 Healing Buddhas translated by Harry Leong. All errors are mine.]

Thirty Five Buddhas

The 35 Buddhas of Repentance

(Image: Source unknown)

There is also a group of thirty-five buddhas listed in the Great Precious Collection Sutra, also known as the Maharatnakuta Sutra (大寶積經 Dabaoji Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T11 No. 310). The same list of buddhas is found in the Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Established Vinaya (佛說決定毗尼經 Foshuo Jueding Pini Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T12 No. 325) and it is also found in the Ritual Repentance Text of the Names of the Thirty-five Buddhas Spoken by the Buddha (佛說三十五佛名禮懺文 Foshuo Sanshiwu Foming Lichan Wen) (Taisho Tripitaka T12 No. 326).

Fifty Three Buddhas

There is also a set of fifty-three buddhas mentioned in the Sutra Spoken by the Buddha on the Visualization of the Two Bodhisattvas King of Healing (Bhaisajya-raja) and Supreme Healer (Bhaisajya-samudgata) (佛說觀藥王藥上二菩薩經 Foshuo Guan Yaowang Yaoshang Er Pusa Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T20 No. 1161).

Eighty Eight Buddhas

The aforementioned group of fifty-three buddhas, when added to the group of thirty-five buddhas mentioned previously, makes up the group of eighty-eight buddhas that is found in the popular Great Repentance Text of the Eighty-eight Buddhas (八十八佛大懺悔文 Bashiba Fo Da Chanhui Wen) often chanted during the evening service in Chinese Buddhist monasteries.

The 88 Buddhas  made up of the group of 35 Buddhas and the 53 Buddhas

(Image: Source unknown)

The Eighty-eight Buddhas (八十八佛 Bashiba Fo) are listed below according to their names translated from Chinese:

1) Buddha of Universal Radiance (普光佛 Puguang Fo)

2) Buddha of Universal Enlightenment (普明佛 Puming Fo)

3) Buddha of Universal Purity (普淨佛 Puching Fo)

4) Buddha of Cassia Sandalwood Fragrance (多摩羅跋栴檀香佛 Duomo Luoba Zhantanxiang Fo)

5) Buddha of Sandalwood Radiance (栴檀光佛 Zhantan Guang Fo)

6) Buddha of the Jewel Banner (摩尼幢佛 Moni Chuang Fo)

7) Buddha of the Joyful Repository and Precious Collection of Jewels (歡喜藏摩尼寶積佛  Huanxi Zang Moni Baoji Fo)

8) Buddha of Great Supreme Endeavor the Entire World is Joyful to See (一切世間樂見上大精進佛 Yiqie Shijian Lejian Shangda Jingjin Fo)

9) Buddha of Jewel Banner Light and Radiance (摩尼幢燈光佛 Moni Chuang Dengguang Fo)

10) Buddha of Wisdom Torch Illumination (慧炬照佛 Huiju Zhao Fo)

11) Buddha of Radiance of the Ocean of Virtue (海德光明佛 Haide Guangming Fo)

12) Buddha of Adamantine Firm and Powerful Pervasive Radiating Golden Light (金剛牢強普散金光佛 Jingang Laoqiang Pusan Jinguang Fo)

13) Buddha of Great Vigorous Endeavor and Bold Power 大強精進勇猛佛 Daqiang Jingjin Yongmeng Fo)

14) Buddha of Radiance of Great Compassion (大悲光佛 Dabei Guang Fo)

15) Buddha the Monarch of Compassionate Strength (慈力王佛 Cili Wang Fo)

16) Buddha of the Treasury of Compassion (慈藏佛 Cizang Fo)

17) Buddha of the Sandalwood Grotto of Glorious Victory (栴檀窟莊嚴勝佛 Zhantan Ku Zhuangyan Sheng Fo)

18) Buddha the Foremost in Worthiness and Virtue (賢善首佛 Xianshan Shou Fo)

19) Buddha of Virtuous Intent (善意佛 Shanyi Fo)

20) Buddha the Monarch of Broad Adornment (廣莊嚴王佛 Guang Zhuangyan Wang Fo)

21) Buddha of Radiance of the Golden Flower (金華光佛 Jinhua Guang Fo)

22) Buddha the Monarch of the Precious Canopy that Illuminates the Void and Sovereign Power that is Free from Restraint (寶蓋照空自在力王佛 Baogai Zhaokong Zizai Liwang Fo)

23) Buddha of Radiance of Empty Space and the Precious Flower (虛空寶華光佛 Xukong Baohua Guang Fo)

24) Buddha the Monarch of Adornment of Lapis Lazuli (琉璃莊嚴王佛 Liuli Zhuangyan Wang Fo)

25) Buddha of Radiance of Pervasive Physical Manifestation (普現色身光佛 Puxian Seshen Guang Fo)

26) Buddha of Radiance of Immovable Wisdom (不動智光佛 Budong Zhiguang Fo)

27) Buddha the Monarch that Vanquishes the Multitudes of Demons (降伏眾魔王佛 Xiangfu Zhongmo Wang Fo)

28) Buddha of Skillful Ability and Illumination (才光明佛 Cai Guangming Fo)

29) Buddha of Victory of Wisdom and Intelligence (智慧勝佛 Zhihui Sheng Fo)

30) Buddha of Transcendent Radiance of Benevolence (Maitreya) (彌勒仙光佛 Mile Xianguang Fo)

31) Buddha the Monarch of Wonderful and Venerable Wisdom of Virtuous Silence and Lunar Sounds (善寂月音妙尊智王佛 Shanji Yueyin Miaozun Zhiwang Fo)

32) Buddha of Radiance of Worldly Purity (世淨光佛 Shijing Guang Fo)

33) Buddha the Monarch Descended from Dragons and Supremely Honored (龍種上尊王佛 Longzhong Shangzun Wang Fo)

34) Buddha of Solar and Lunar Radiance (日月光佛 Riyue Guang Fo)          

35) Buddha of Radiance of the Solar and Lunar Pearls (日月珠光佛 Riyuezhu Guang Fo)

36) Buddha the Victorious Monarch of the Wisdom Banner (慧幢勝王佛 Huichuang Shengwang Fo)

37) Buddha the Monarch with a Voice like a Lion’s Roar and Sovereign Power that is Free from Restraint (師子吼自在力王佛 Shizi Hou Zizai Liwang Fo)

38) Buddha of Victory of Wonderful Sounds (妙音勝佛 Miaoyin Sheng Fo)

39) Buddha of the Banner of Eternal Radiance (常光幢佛 Changguang Chuang Fo)

40) Buddha the Observer of the Lights of the World (觀世燈佛 Guan Shideng Fo)

41) Buddha the Monarch of the Mighty Lamp of Wisdom (慧威燈王佛 Huiwei Dengwang Fo)

42) Buddha the Monarch of Dharma Victory (法勝王佛 Fasheng Wang Fo)

43) Buddha of Radiance of Mount Sumeru (須彌光佛 Xumi Guang Fo)

44) Buddha of Radiance of the Sumana Flower (須曼那華光佛 Xumanna Hua Guang Fo)

45) Buddha the Monarch that is like the Rare and Extraordinary Udumbara Flower (優曇鉢羅華殊勝王佛 Youtan Boluo Hua Shusheng Wang Fo)

46) Buddha the Monarch of Great Wisdom Strength (大慧力王佛 Dahui Liwang Fo)

47) Buddha the Immovable of Joyful Radiance (Akshobhya) (阿閦毗歡喜光佛 Achupi Huanxi Guang Fo)

48) Buddha the Monarch of Limitless Sounds (無量音聲王佛 Wuliang Yinsheng Wang Fo)

49) Buddha of Radiance of Skillful Ability (才光佛 Caiguang Fo)

50) Buddha of Radiance of the Golden Sea (金海光佛 Jinhai Guang Fo)

51) Buddha the Monarch of Wisdom that is Great as the Mountains and Seas and Sovereign Penetrations that are Free from Restraint (山海慧自在通王佛 Shanhai Hui Zizai Tongwang Fo)

52) Buddha of Radiance of Great Penetrations (大通光佛 Datong Guang Fo)

53) Buddha the Monarch that Always Completes All in the Dharma (一切法常滿王佛 Yiqie Fa Changman Wang Fo)

54) Buddha the Sage of the Shakya Clan (Shakyamuni) (釋迦牟尼佛 Shijia Mouni Fo)

55) Buddha of Adamantine Indestructibility (金剛不壞佛 Jingang Buhuai Fo)

56) Buddha of Precious Radiance (寶光佛 Baoguang Fo)

57) Buddha the Dragon Honored Monarch (龍尊王佛 Longzun Wang Fo)

58) Buddha of Vigorous Endeavor that is like a Marching Army (精進軍佛 Jingjin Jun Fo)

59) Buddha of Vigorous Endeavor and Joy (精進喜佛 Jingjin Xi Fo)

60) Buddha of Precious Fire (寶火佛 Baohuo Fo)

61) Buddha of Radiance of the Precious Moon (寶月光佛 Baoyue Guang Fo)

62) Buddha of Manifestation of Non-Ignorance (現無愚佛 Xian Wuyu Fo)

63) Buddha of the Precious Moon (寶月佛 Baoyue Fo)

64) Buddha that is Without Defilements (無垢佛 Wugou Fo)

65) Buddha that is Parted from Defilements (離垢佛 Ligou Fo)

66) Buddha of Bestowing Courage (勇施佛 Yongshi Fo)

67) Buddha of Purity and Clarity (清淨佛 Qingjing Fo)

68) Buddha of Bestowing Purity and Clarity (清淨施佛 Qingjing Shi Fo)

69) Buddha Suoliuna¹ (娑留那佛 Suoliuna Fo)

70) Buddha Varuna² (水天佛 Shuitian Fo)

71) Buddha of Resolute Virtue (堅德佛 Jiande Fo)

72) Buddha of Sandalwood Merit and Virtue (栴檀功德佛 Zhantan Gongde Fo)

73) Buddha of Radiance of Making Limitless Offerings in One’s Hands (無量掬光佛 Wuliang Juguang Fo)

74) Buddha of Radiance and Virtue (光德佛 Guangde Fo)

75) Buddha of Virtue who is Free from Sorrow (無憂德佛 Wuyou De Fo)

76) Buddha Narayana³ (那羅延佛 Naluoyan Fo)

77) Buddha of the Flower of Merit and Virtue (功德華佛 Gongde Hua Fo)

78) Buddha of Lotus Flower Radiance and Supernatural Powers in Which to Take Delight (蓮華光遊戲神通佛 Lianhua Guang Youxi Shentong Fo)

79) Buddha of Wealth of Merit and Virtue (財功德佛 Cai Gongde Fo)

80) Buddha of Virtue and Remembrance (德念佛 Denian Fo)

81) Buddha of Virtuous Renown and Merit (善名稱功德佛 Shan Mingcheng Gongde Fo)

82) Buddha the Monarch of Red Flames and Imperial Banners (紅燄帝幢王佛 Hongyan Dichuang Wang Fo)

83) Buddha of Virtuous Steps and Merit (善遊步功德佛 Shan Youbu Gongde Fo)

84) Buddha of Victory in Battle (鬪戰勝佛 Douzhan Sheng Fo)

85) Buddha of Virtuous Steps (善遊步佛 Shan Youbu Fo)

86) Buddha Encompassed in Adornment and Merit (周匝莊嚴功德佛 Zhouza Zhuangyan Gongde Fo)

87) Buddha Whose Steps are Supported by Precious Flowers (寶華遊步佛 Baohua Youbu Fo)

88) Buddha the Monarch of Precious Lotus Flowers that Virtuously Dwells Beneath the Sala Trees (寶蓮華善住娑羅樹王佛 Baolianhua Shanzhu Suoluoshu Wang Fo)

¹ Unable to find with certainty the meaning or Sanskrit equivalent of Suoliuna from which the Chinese term was derived from. It is possible that it is a transliteration of the Sanskrit term Sharana which means refuge. The name may also be connected to a deity related with water in Indian religion.

² Varuna is also the name of the Indian deity of the water heaven realm and element.

³ Narayana is also an epithet of the Indian god Vishnu. Another meaning of the name is resting place for all living entities. And yet another meaning is direction and goal of human beings [towards liberation].

[List of 88 Buddhas translated by Harry Leong. All errors are mine.]

One Thousand Buddhas

Thousand Buddhas in Cave 322 at the Dunhuang Grottoes

(Image: Source unknown)

There are also three separate groups of one thousand buddhas listed in the following Mahayana texts categorized by kalpas (aeons, or world cycles):

1) Sutra of the Names of the Thousand Buddhas of the Past Kalpa of Glory (Vyuha Kalpa) (過去莊嚴劫千佛名經 Guoqu Zhuangyan Jie Qianfo Mingjing)

2) Sutra of the Names of the Thousand Buddhas of the Present Kalpa of Virtue (Bhadra Kalpa) (現在賢劫千佛名經 Xianzai Xian Jie Qianfo Mingjing)

3) Sutra of the Names of the Thousand Buddhas of the Future Kalpa of Constellations (Naksatra Kalpa) (未來星宿劫千佛名經 Weilai Xingxiu Jie Qianfo Mingjing).

One Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas

There is a list of one-thousand five-hundred buddhas found in a Mahayana text called the Sutra of the Names of the Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas of the Ten Directions (十方千五百佛名經 Shifang Qianwubai Foming Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T14, No. 442). Here, the term ten directions refers to the four cardinal directions (north, east, south, west) plus the four intercardinal directions (northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest) and the zenith (above; vertically up) and nadir (below; vertically down). The term actually means pervasive or everywhere.

Three Thousand Buddhas

There is also a Mahayana text consolidating the names of all three-thousand buddhas of the past, present, and future kalpas called the Sutra of the Names of the Three Thousand Buddhas of the Three Kalpas (三劫三千佛名經 Sanjie Sanqian Foming Jing). This text, and the other texts containing the names of the thousand buddhas, serves as the classical reference source for ritual veneration of the multitude of buddhas in Chinese Buddhist ceremonies.

Five Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas

There is even a list of five-thousand five-hundred buddhas found in a Mahayana text called the Sutra of the Names of the Five Thousand Five Hundred Buddhas and Spiritual Mantras for Removing Obstacles and Extinguishing Sins (五千五百佛名神咒除障滅罪經 Wuqian Wubai Foming Shenzhou Chuzhang Miezui Jing) (Taisho Tripitaka T14, No. 443).

Infinite Buddhas

All these different lists and groups of buddhas are not mutually exclusive, and of course, they are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the buddhas that exist. These lists and groups are only different ways of grouping the buddhas based on certain categorizations. In actuality, the multiplicity of buddhas is immeasurable and incalculable. The number of buddhas that exist out there is countless, endless, and infinite.

Homage to All the Buddhas of the Ten Directions of the Three Periods of Time!

Text © 2011 Harry Leong