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Lords of the Rings star embraces Buddhism (Orlando Bloom)
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/9652-Lords_of_the_Rings_star_embraces_Buddhism.html ^

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

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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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: buddhism; lotr
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Comment #21 Removed by Moderator

To: fishtank

22 posted on 12/09/2004 3:25:52 PM PST by fso301
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To: kingsurfer
I have to say that atheists leave me cold. I cannot imagine believing in nothingness.

Or worse, no-one hears you when you have an orgasm.

23 posted on 12/09/2004 3:25:55 PM PST by Prime Choice (I like Democrats, too. Let's exchange recipes.)
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To: HairOfTheDog
I liked him better when he was just gay.

Just kidding, Miss Hair!!

24 posted on 12/09/2004 3:26:01 PM PST by Argh
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To: Our man in washington

Yummy! Thank you!


25 posted on 12/09/2004 3:27:07 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: fishtank

Actually, the Japanese Imperial war effort was based in Shintoism.

But the Japanese did use Buddhism as a war tool for centuries. Every samurai strove for the zen mind of thoughtless skillfulness.


26 posted on 12/09/2004 3:27:34 PM PST by MWS
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To: Argh

No excuse for it Argh.... :~D


27 posted on 12/09/2004 3:27:58 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: Prime Choice

Thanks! I'd say that in "Elvish" if I knew how. Man! Is he adorable! He makes me feel like a dirty ole lady, LOL!


28 posted on 12/09/2004 3:28:08 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: fishtank

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soka_Gakkai_International


29 posted on 12/09/2004 3:28:17 PM PST by ScottFromSpokane (We're none of us prefect.)
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To: fso301

Thank you! He is just finger-lickin' gooood! LOL!


30 posted on 12/09/2004 3:29:03 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: fishtank
"When was the last time Buddhists went to war?"

Pearl Harbor?

Wasn't the Japs religion known as "Shinto?" Is that the same as Buddhist? Any other religion is probably a big improvement over TROP.

31 posted on 12/09/2004 3:30:13 PM PST by Neanderthal
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

32 posted on 12/09/2004 3:30:27 PM PST by airborne (God bless and keep our fallen heroes.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

33 posted on 12/09/2004 3:30:57 PM PST by airborne (God bless and keep our fallen heroes.)
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To: fishtank
Iluvatar would be grieved.

Well, that's rather presumptuous!

34 posted on 12/09/2004 3:31:19 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: ecurbh


35 posted on 12/09/2004 3:31:51 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
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To: fishtank

Ah yes, it's a special branch of Buddhism, known only to Hollywood stars. In this branch, the rules are ignored, and are replaced by sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.


36 posted on 12/09/2004 3:32:10 PM PST by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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To: bikepacker67

That's a fantastic ME site.


37 posted on 12/09/2004 3:32:25 PM PST by StoneColdGOP (Name a shrub after me - something prickly and hard to eradicate.)
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To: kingsurfer

Nope. Wrong. The act of believing in what is false leads to the same destination as believing in nothing.


38 posted on 12/09/2004 3:32:53 PM PST by freecopper01
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To: Prime Choice
Orlando Bloom's looks are the type that appeal to 8th grade girls. Hollywood men look like they came out of the same pretty boy mold.

I'll take someone who looks like the Marlboro Man, thanks.

39 posted on 12/09/2004 3:36:02 PM PST by Lizavetta (Modern liberalism: Where everyone must look different but think the same.)
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To: Jay777

My biggest issue is that many in the entertainment industry, as well as other lefties, have adopted a bastardized Buddhism. It has been tailored to appear far less rigorous than the real deal. The false belief that ensnares most such Westerners into this false Buddhism is the extreme misconception that Buddhism is more "tolerant" than Judeo-Christianity. If that is the case, then my question to most Western "converts" to Buddhism would be, firstly, do they know that the 7 precepts are also 7 of the 10 Commmandments, and secondly, are they willing to follow these rules? As if I needed to ask.


40 posted on 12/09/2004 3:37:00 PM PST by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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