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From Kapilavastu
Siddhartha (Buddha)
The prince of the Shakya tribe. He leaves the palace to become a monk. He achieves enlightenment. Trying to help people suffering, he teaches and inspires a great number of people.- Suicidal Pacifism: At least his followers often see it that way.
- Arranged Marriage: With Yashodara.
Tatta
A thief with the ability to possess animals. Growing up, he wants vengeance against the kingdom of Kosala for killing his family and friends. Befriends Buddha and Migaila. Later marries Migaila.- Decoy Protagonist
- The Ditz: He's clever when dealing with danger, but otherwise not bright at all.
- Fatal Flaw: His inability to let go of his feelings of vengeance.
- Friend to All Living Things: As a child.
- Idiot Hair: As a child.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He has a good heart, he just can't let go of his Fatal Flaw.
- Manipulative Bastard: Starts off this way toward Siddhartha, who is his tool for revenge.
- Official Couple: With Migaila.
- Revenge: His chief motivation.
Chapra
A slave boy who becomes adopted by a general of Kosala and seeks to make a better life for himself and his mother.- Decoy Protagonist: He is the protagonist of the first volume, while Siddhartha is the protagonist for the remaining seven.
Devadatta
One of Buddha's first disciples. He leaves the sect when he is not chosen to be Buddha's successor and attempts to form his own sect by stealing Buddha's followers.- In the Blood: His father is Bandaka, which is likely where he gets his negative traits.
- Kids Are Cruel: The other kids constantly bullied him. When they got trapped in a cave with litte water, he killed the others to stay alive. So it works both ways.
Bandaka
An arrogant and vicious archer who tries to take the Shakya throne from Siddhartha. He is the father of Devadatta.Princess Yashodara
A princess of Koliya who becomes Buddha's wife and the mother to his child.- Arranged Marriage: With Siddhartha.
Migaila
A bandit falling love with Buddha early in the series. Her eyes are burnt out as punishment for scheming to marry him. Later marries Tatta.Ananda
The half-brother of Devadetta through their mother. A former criminal who seeks revenge on all of humanity. He becomes one of Buddha's major disciples after Buddha saves his life.- Healing Factor: While protected by Mara.
Dhepa
A samanna (a non-Brahmin monk), who believe that humans are meant to suffer. Befriends Buddha, but the two part ways due to differences in belief. Eventually becomes one of Buddha’s disciples after his life is saved.Asaji
A young boy with a runny nose, following Buddha and Dhepa. After almost dying of fever, he gains the power to see the future, even his own death. From Kosala
Virudhaka
The Crystal Prince. Prince of Kosala. His father married a slave, having been tricked into thinking she was a noble woman. After learning this, he banishes his mother to the slave quarters and lets her die with the other slaves when a plague breaks out among them. Later imprisons his own father and rules Kosala.Yatala
A twenty-foot giant who serves as a Kolasan palace guard. He becomes one of Buddha's disciples.- Gentle Giant: Starts out intimidating, but is actually a nice guy once you get to know him.
Lata
A pretty former slave girl who falls in love with Ananda.- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Her attraction to Ananda.
Ahimsa / Angulimala
A notorious and ruthless killer who hates the Brahmin monks. He cuts the fingers off of all his victims and wears them as a necklace.- Handicapped Badass: He can only see in one eye.
From Magadha
Bimbisara
The king of Magadha, whom Asaji prophesies will be killed by his son. This torments Bimbisara all his life. Bimbisara is overthrown by his son Ajatasattu and locked in a tower where he gradually starves to death.- Offing the Offspring: Tried this on the infant son out of fear, didn't manage to go through with it.
- You Can't Fight Fate: Tried and failed to avert his son killing him.
