Japanese scholars of Buddhism

was a Japanese Zen Buddhist monk, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. He is also known as Dōgen Kigen (), Eihei Dōgen (), Kōso Jōyō Daishi (), and Busshō Dentō Kokushi ().

, born posthumously called , was a Japanese Buddhist monk, calligrapher, and poet who founded the esoteric Shingon school of Buddhism. He travelled to China, where he studied Tangmi (Chinese Vajrayana Buddhism) under the monk Huiguo. Upon returning to Japan, he founded Shingon—the Japanese branch of Vajrayana Buddhism. With the blessing of several Emperors, Kūkai was able to preach Shingon teachings and found Shingon temples. Like other influential monks, Kūkai oversaw public works and constructions. Mount Kōya was chosen by him as a holy site, and he spent his later years there until his deat

Japanese Buddhist scholar, Doctor of Letters (1870–1966)

Japanese philosopher (1870–1945)

Japanese Buddhist leader (1928–2023)

was a key Japanese Buddhist figure of the Kamakura Period who is regarded as the founder of the Jōdo Shinshū school of Japanese Buddhism. A pupil of Hōnen, the founder of the Japanese Pure Land movement, Shinran articulated a distinctive Pure Land vision that emphasized faith and absolute reliance on Amida Buddha’s other-power.

Japanese Zen Buddhist master (1686-1769)

, better known in Japan by his posthumous name, Jikaku Daishi (), was a priest of the Tendai school of Buddhism in Japan, and its third .

Japanese philosopher (1885–1962)

Japanese philosopher (1900–1990)

Japanese philosopher (1912-1999)

Japanese buddhist studies scholar and Indologist

'''''' (814–891) was a Japanese Buddhist monk, founder of the Jimon school of Tendai Buddhism and Chief Abbot of Mii-dera at the foot of Mount Hiei. After succeeding to the post of Tendai , in 873, a strong rivalry developed between his followers and those of Ennin's at Enryaku-ji (note: Ennin had died in 864).

Japanese philosopher

Japanese Buddhist monk (1866–1945)

Japanese academic (1849–1927)

Japanese scholar of religion, critic (1873–1949)

Japanese Buddhist, professor in religious studies

Japanese Zen Buddhist monk (1860–1919)

Japanese Buddhist priest (1919–2014)

Japanese Indoligist (1930–2021)

Japanese Shin Buddhist reformer (1863–1903)

Japanese philosopher

Japanese tibetologist and buddhistologist

Japanese scholar (1895–1976)