The Nine Buddhas and Other Figures in the Buddhist Tradition
Bhaishajyaguru
Medicine or healing Buddha, who sometimes replaces Akshobhya or Vairochana as one of the five Dhyani Buddhas
Vairochana
or the Cosmic Buddha: the Illuminator, who resides over/in the zenith
Lohan
refers to one who has understood the truth about reality...holy men or sages who have attained enlightenment and are assured of attaining nirvana at death
Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin - Chinese, Kannon - Japanese)
the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, the Dalai Lama is said to be a reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara. In art, Avalokiteshvara may be represented as a female or male figure
Amitabha (Amida - Japanese)
the Buddha of Infinite Light, who resides over/in Sukhavati, the Western Pure Land
Maitreya
the Buddha of the Future, so he is a Bodhisattva, often he is depicted as a very happy man, with a large belly, carrying a bag of gifts for children
Prabhutaratna
the Buddha of the Past (he said he would be present whenever the Lotus Sutra is read)
Akshobhya
the Imperturbable, who resides over/in the Eastern Pure Land
Ratnasambhava
the Source of Precious Things, who resides over/in the Southern Pure Land
Amoghasiddhi
the Unfailingly Successful, or "He who works not in vain," who resides over/in the Northern Pure Land
Siddhartha Gautama
the historical Buddha, from the Shakya clan, also known as Shakyamuni
