Historical Figures & Lineages
Biographies of 200+ spiritual teachers, philosophers, and sages
Comprehensive biographies of major spiritual teachers, philosophers, saints and sages organized by tradition. Explore the lives, teachings, and lineage connections of wisdom tradition pioneers.
Buddhism
Gautama Buddha (563-483 BCE)
Tradition: Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana
Founder of Buddhism. Achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and taught the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
Mahakassapa (6th century BCE)
Tradition: Theravada
Primary disciple of Buddha, leader of the sangha after Buddha's parinirvana. Known for ascetic practices.
Ananda (6th century BCE)
Tradition: All Schools
Buddha's cousin and personal attendant for 25 years. Preserved Buddha's teachings through perfect recall.
Ashoka (268-232 BCE)
Tradition: Theravada
Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism and spread it throughout Asia. Built numerous monasteries and stupas.
Nagarjuna (150-250 CE)
Tradition: Mahayana
Philosopher who developed Madhyamaka school. Renowned for works on emptiness and the Middle Way.
Bodhidharma (5th-6th century CE)
Tradition: Zen/Chan
Founder of Zen Buddhism in China. Transmitted direct mind-to-mind transmission beyond scriptures.
Xuanzang (7th century CE)
Tradition: Mahayana
Tang dynasty monk who traveled to India and translated numerous Buddhist texts into Chinese.
Dogen (1200-1253)
Tradition: Zen
Japanese Zen master who founded Soto Zen school. Author of Shobogenzo.
Hinduism
Vyasa (dates unknown)
Tradition: Vedic
Legendary author of the Mahabharata and Vedas. Considered compiler of Hindu scriptures.
Adi Shankara (788-820)
Tradition: Advaita Vedanta
Philosopher who revived Vedanta. Founded four cardinal monasteries and taught non-dualism.
Rammohan Roy (1772-1833)
Tradition: Neo-Hinduism
Social reformer who harmonized Hindu philosophy with modern science and rationalism.
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (1836-1886)
Tradition: Bhakti, Vedanta
Saint who practiced multiple spiritual paths and taught that all religions lead to God.
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)
Tradition: Vedanta
Disciple of Ramakrishna. Brought Hinduism to the West and founded Ramakrishna Mission.
Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950)
Tradition: Integral Yoga
Yogi and philosopher who synthesized Hindu philosophy with modern evolutionary thought.
Krishnamurti (1895-1986)
Tradition: Theosophical, Independent
Philosopher who taught direct experience of truth without dogma or organized belief.
Ramana Maharshi (1879-1950)
Tradition: Advaita Vedanta
Self-realized saint who taught self-inquiry as path to enlightenment.
Christianity
Jesus (4 BCE - 30 CE)
Tradition: Christianity
Central figure of Christianity. Taught love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Paul the Apostle (5-67 CE)
Tradition: Christianity
Founder of Christian theology through letters and missionary work across Mediterranean.
Augustine (354-430)
Tradition: Christian Theology
Church father. Wrote Confessions and developed doctrine of original sin and grace.
Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
Tradition: Franciscanism
Mystic who founded Franciscan order. Taught universal compassion for all creatures.
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Tradition: Scholasticism
Dominican friar. Synthesized Aristotle with Christian theology in Summa Theologiae.
John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Tradition: Mysticism
Spanish mystic and poet. Wrote about dark night of the soul and union with God.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Tradition: Protestant Reformation
Initiated Protestant Reformation. Challenged Church authority and emphasized personal faith.
Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
Tradition: Christian Charity
Founded Missionaries of Charity. Served the poorest of the poor in Calcutta.
Islam
Muhammad (570-632)
Tradition: Islam
Founder of Islam. Received revelation of the Quran and established Islamic civilization.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (600-661)
Tradition: Shia Islam
Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. Fourth Caliph. Central figure in Shia tradition.
Al-Ghazali (1058-1111)
Tradition: Sufism
Philosopher and mystic who harmonized Sufism with Islamic law and theology.
Ibn Arabi (1165-1240)
Tradition: Sufism
Andalusian mystic. Developed concept of wahdah al-wujud (unity of being).
Rumi (1207-1273)
Tradition: Sufism, Poetry
Persian mystic and poet. Founded Mevlevi order. Author of Masnavi.
Hafiz (1315-1390)
Tradition: Sufism, Poetry
Persian mystic and poet. Wrote ecstatic love poems about divine union.
Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938)
Tradition: Modern Islam
Poet and philosopher who revitalized Islamic philosophy for modern times.
Other Wisdom Traditions
Laozi (6th century BCE)
Tradition: Taoism
Legendary author of Tao Te Ching. Sage who taught the Way beyond words.
Confucius (551-479 BCE)
Tradition: Confucianism
Philosopher who emphasized ethics, virtue, and proper relationships in society.
Zhuangzi (369-286 BCE)
Tradition: Taoism
Taoist sage. Used parables and paradoxes to point to the Tao beyond language.
Moses (15th-13th century BCE)
Tradition: Judaism
Prophet who led Israelites from Egypt. Received Torah on Mount Sinai.
Socrates (470-399 BCE)
Tradition: Western Philosophy
Greek philosopher. Used dialogue to pursue truth through questioning.
Plato (428-348 BCE)
Tradition: Western Philosophy
Philosopher who founded Academy. Developed theory of forms and ideals.
Aristotle (384-322 BCE)
Tradition: Western Philosophy
Philosopher who emphasized empirical observation and logic. Teacher of Alexander.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180)
Tradition: Stoicism
Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. Author of Meditations on virtue and duty.