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20 Famous Buddhist Celebrities (Steven Seagal?)

List Of 20 Famous Buddhist Celebrities:

#1 Tina Turner

Turner became an adherent of Nichiren Buddhism in 1973. In her book ”Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good,” the singer explores her longstanding relationship with Buddhism.

”In this very personal book, I focus on core themes of my life: hope, happiness, and faith,” Turner wrote in on her official Facebook page.” She added: ”Even more to me than an inspirational philosophy that guides me, the wisdom of Buddhism actually saved my life!”

#2 Richard GereRichard Gere buddhist quote

Gere is a co-founder of the Tibet House and a prominent advocate for human rights in Tibet.

He converted to Buddhism following a tour to Nepal in 1978. Richard said about Buddhism: ”The sense of practicing the Dharma gave me an immense happiness and console.”

#3 George Lucas

He is an American film director who is best known for creating the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchise.

Lucas was born and raised in a Methodist family. He considers himself a “Buddhist Methodist.” George explained for the NY Times:

”My daughter was asked at school, “What are you?” And she said we’re Buddhist Methodists. I said, well, I guess that’s one way to describe it.”

#4 Herbie Hancock

Herbert is an American composer, pianist, and a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism — a branch of Mahayana Buddhism.

”I’ve been practicing Buddhism now since the Summer of 1972,” he told New Sounds. Herbert continued: ”I was turned on to it by Buster Williams who was a bass player in my band.”

#5 Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom buddhist quote

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In a 2019 interview, Orlando said that he began practicing Nichiren Buddhism. “I have a Buddhist practice, which has always been an incredible anchor for me,” Orlando said. ”It’s been sort of a philosophical and a spiritual teaching that resonated for me.”

#6 Naima Mora

She practices Nichiren Buddhism. ”Buddhism is about everyday life,” Mora told Lions Roar during a Q&A session. ”The average person here and now – anyone – has the potential to attain enlightenment.”

#7 Sting

The English musician follows Vajrayana Buddhism, also known as the Diamond Vehicle.

#8 Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman buddhist quote

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Thurman was born into a Buddhist family. Uma said during an interview: ”When asked if I consider myself Buddhist, the answer is, it’s more my religion than any other because I was brought up with it in an intellectual and spiritual environment.” Uma later added: ”I don’t practice or preach it.”

Note – Her father, Robert Thurman, is an American Buddhist author and one of the very first western Tibetan Buddhist monks.

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#9 Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal buddhist

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In 1997, Lama Penor Rinpoche – the 11th throne holder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism – announced that Steven Seagal was a tulku (a person recognized by followers as the emanation of a deceased master of Tibetan Buddhism).

Penor Rinpoche said at the time:

”In February of 1997, I recognized my student, Steven Seagal, as a reincarnation (tulku) of the treasure revealer Chungdrag Dorje.”

Rinpoche added:

”But, he has not been officially enthroned. He has also not undergone the lengthy process of study and practice necessary to fully realize what I view as his potential for helping others.”

#10 Philip Glass

He became a student of Tibetan Buddhism in 1966.

#11 Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone buddhist

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She converted to Buddhism after Richard Gere introduced her to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Stone said: ”I’m extremely religious. My practice is Buddhism, but I believe in God.”

Previously, the actress was a member of the Church of Scientology.

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#12 Jet Li

Li is a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. He said in an interview: ”Every religion boils down to love, to a respect for all living things, to choosing peace over violence as a means of resolving a conflict.”

#13 Oliver Stone

Stone was raised in the Episcopal Church, but now he practices Buddhism.

”Buddhism can only be good for this country, Stone told the LA Times. ”It has a beneficent, self-realization energy that can only help America heal.”

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#14 Boy George

George has practiced Nichiren Buddhism. English singer said: ”I’m Catholic In My Complications And Buddhist In My Aspirations.”

#15 Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods buddhist

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He grew up a Buddhist. Woods said for CNN: ”I like Buddhism because it’s a whole way of being and living,” He went on to say: “It’s based on discipline and respect and personal responsibility.”

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#16 Adam Yauch

Adam was a practicing Buddhist. Yauch has organized the Tibetan Freedom Concert as well as a nonprofit organization devoted to Tibetan independence (the Milarepa Fund).

#17 Steve Wynn

Steven was born Jewish but said that he is a Buddhist.

#18 Mehmet Scholl

He is a follower of Buddhist principles.

#19 Allen Ginsberg

Ginsberg is a follower of Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

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#20 Kate Bosworth

Bosworth is a Buddhist. She once said: ”It’s [Buddhism] is just a really incredible state of mind. It’s just a beautiful place to try and be at.”

Featured image credit – Delbars/Shutterstock

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