Buddhism Site
	Lisa Erickson BellaOnline's Buddhism Editor

Bodhidharma - First Patriarch of Zen Buddhism
Many legends are associated with the life of Bodhidharma, first patriarch of Zen Buddhism, including his association with the famous Shaolin Temple in China, and by extension, Chinese martial arts.

Hotei Buddha and His Similarity to Santa Claus
When you ask most non-Buddhist to describe what Buddha looks like, a lot of people will tell you he is the jolly, fat-bellied guy you see statues of everywhere. But who is the round bellied man so many non-Buddhist and Buddhist like to have statues of?

Mugai Nyodai, First Woman to Head a Zen Order
The life of Mugai Nyodai, medieval Zen Buddhist nun credited with becoming the first woman to head a Zen order, and author of a famous Zen awakening poem.

Padmasambhava - Founder of Tibetan Buddhism
Padmasambhava, an Indian Buddhist master, came to Tibet at the invitation of a Tibetan King to teach, thus creating the founding teachings of Tibetan Buddhism.

Pajapati - Stepmom to Buddha and First Nun
Maha Pajapati Gotami was the Buddha's foster mother, raising him from infancy, and as an adult persuaded him to allow an order of Buddhist nuns, one of the first women religious orders in the world.

Sukhasiddhi, Tibetan Buddhist Woman Lineage Holder
This article summarizes the legend of Sukhasiddhi, considered a female founder and dakini within the Tibetan Buddhist Kagyu lineage.

Yeshe Tsogyal - Tibetan Woman Buddhist Master
Yeshe Tsogyal was a Tibetan princess who through her relationship with Padmasambhava, the Indian master who brought Buddhism to Tibet, became an enlightened Buddhist teacher and the most revered female figure in Tibetan Buddhism.