This encyclopaedia is about many great thinkers of Buddhism who have significantly contributed towards the development and spreading of Buddhism around the world. Many pupils of Gautama Buddha started his thoughts after his death. In the later years many prominent thinkers carry forward his work and helped to spread the message of Ahimsa (non-violence)and Brotherhood around the world. Even today many scholars, authors and thinkers are working towards this great goal. This encyclopaedia traces some of the greatest Buddhist thinkers of all time right through the days of early Buddhism. In tracing these thinkers weave also included some important chapters of Buddhism which helps in understanding this religion in its true manner. There are some other branches of Buddhism which later evolved. Zen Buddhism is one of these important branches which are very influential in some parts of the world, most notably in the Japan and some parts of China. we have also given some of the most important Zen thinkers here. Our attempt is to cover as many thinkers as possible. We hope that the readers of Buddhism who want to know, about the teachers and thinkers of this religion will find this encyclopaedia very useful.