ZONETUNE

  We often speak of THE Buddha, as if there were only one--normally the historical character is known as Siddhartha Gautama​ or Shakyamuni Buddha. But in reality, Buddha means "enlightened one," and Buddhist scriptures and art portray many different Buddhas. In your reading, you may encounter "celestial" or transcendent buddhas as well as earthly buddhas. There are Buddhas who teach and those who do not. There are Buddhas of past, present, and future. As you consult this list, keep in mind that these buddhas may be regarded as archetypes or metaphors rather than literal beings. Also, keep in mind that "Buddha" can refer to something other than a person--the fabric of existence itself, or "buddha-nature."  This list of 12 Buddhas is not by any means complete; there are many Buddhas, named and unnamed, in the scriptures. 01 of 12 Akshobhya Akshobhya Buddha.   MarenYumi / Flickr.com, Creative Commons License Akshobhya is a transcendent or celestial ...

 masterpiece from ancient Gandhara that was excavated in Sikri, Pakistan, in the 19th century. It probably dates to the 2nd century CE. The sculpture was donated to the Lahore Museum of Pakistan in 1894, where it is still displayed. Strictly speaking, the statue should be called the "Fasting Bodhisattva" or the "Fasting Siddhartha," since it portrays an event that took place before  the Buddha's enlightenment . On his spiritual quest,  Siddhartha Gautama  tried many aesthetic practices, including starving himself until he resembled a living skeleton. Eventually, he realized that mental cultivation and insight, not bodily deprivation, would lead to enlightenment. ​ 05 of 12 5. The Tree Root Buddha of Ayuthaya © Prachanart Viriyaraks / Contributor / Getty Images This quirky Buddha appears to be growing from tree roots. This stone head is near a 14th-century temple called Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya, which was once the capital of Siam, and is...