Oh, all right. But you owe me on the next Coulter thread! ;o)
Posted on 12/09/2004 3:13:31 PM PST by fishtank
Lords of the Rings star embraces Buddhism
Item 9652 • Posted: Wed, Dec. 08 2004 • Weblogged by ReligionNewsBlog.com
Permalink to this article (Click link to copy to clipboard)
Hindustan Times (India), Dec. 6, 2004 http://www.hindustantimes.com
Another Hollywood star Orlando Bloom is to become a Buddhist. The Lord of the Rings star, 27, took part in an hour long ceremony at a centre to commit himself to the faith, according to a Mirror report.
Orlando, who jealously guards his private life, joined 60 other fledgling Buddhists at the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement HQ at Taplow Court Mansion in Maidenhead, Berkshire. A visitor was cited: "He looked really happy. He looked comfortable and quite excited."
Bloom was presented with his Gohonzon, a scroll with Chinese and Sanskrit characters on it. Dressed in jeans, a camel coloured sweater and shirt, he accepted his scroll from centre director Ricky Baynes. An onlooker said: "He shook Ricky's hand like the other people getting their Gohonzons and looked calm."
"When everyone had theirs we all clapped and cheered. Afterwards we all had a cup of tea together and Orlando went to the gift shop. People were queuing up to get his autograph and have their picture take with him. He was very friendly and didn't seem to mind."
Orlando said his Gohonzon would take place of pride in his home. It is likely to be kept in a wooden shrine, surrounded by candles. He would chant the holy Japanese mantra nam-myoho-renge-kyo to the scroll twice a day. He must also read and recite two chapters from the Lotus Sutra holy scripture.
Orlando, who played elf Legolas in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has never publicly spoken about his religious faith but has often been seen clutching Buddhist prayer beads.
I believe he is from Glastonbury in the UK.
This is a hippy mecca like haight ashbury.
Still better to believe in something then nothing.
I demand equal time! Since you guys post your pix of Ann Coulter and CZJ all the time, I demand some pix of Orlando...preferably as Legolas, please! Pretty please?
Okaaaayyyy...
I agree. I think it is better to believe in something than nothing. I've studied Buddism and have found it has many good teachings in it. I choose to be Christian, but to each his own. Personally I could care less who this guy decides to follow spiritually in his "personal" life.
"Orlando Bloom"...sounds like a brand name for an orange.
Yeah, the Japanese are such religious people... (not)
Here's another cool one: http://www.erowid.org/spirit/spirit.shtml
Buddhism is the most benign of the world's great religions. It is also the only one the objective of which is enlightenment, as opposed to subservience, conquest and conversion. When was the last time Buddhists went to war? Hell, they don't even fight each other (except in Korea, but that's a different story.
ping :>(
The key phrase is "jealously guards his private life." More actors ought to emulate that.
Oh, all right. But you owe me on the next Coulter thread! ;o)
"When was the last time Buddhists went to war?"
Pearl Harbor?
---why doesn't he take Richard Gere to Peking and organize a "Free Tibet" movement?
I have to say that atheists leave me cold.
I cannot imagine believing in nothingness.
Thank goodness my daughter has outgrown Legolas. I couldn't handle the chanting.
Pearl Harbor?
Mmmm...Bushido Buddhists...
Buddhism? Bah...that is SO last decade.
All the real stars are switching to Kabbala. Get with the times, Mr. Bloom.
That seems fair, but I don't know how to post pics.
Will this do as a start?
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0167260/Ss/0167260/lotr3_3AP_90442F.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Bloom,%20Orlando
Yet, when Mel Gibson is committed to his faith, Commiewood gets all in a tizzy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
