List of converts to Buddhism from Christianity explained

This is a list of notable converts to Buddhism from Christianity.

NameFormer denominationNationalityNotesRefs.
Nyanatiloka Mahathera (Anton Walther Florus Gueth)Catholic ChurchGermanone of the earliest western Buddhist monks and founder of Island Hermitage[1]
Anthony LeeBaptistAmericanactor and activist[2]
Ananda Metteya (Charles Henry Allan Bennett)Catholic ChurchBritishone of the earliest western Buddhist monk and established the first Buddhist Mission in the United Kingdom[3]
Chris EvansCatholic ChurchAmericanactor and producer[4] [5]
Thomas William Rhys DavidsCongregationalismBritishscholar of the Pāli language and founder of Pali Text Society[6]
Colonel Henry Steel OlcottPresbyterianismAmericanmilitary officer, lawyer and first well-known American to make a formal conversion to Buddhism[7]
Lokanatha (Salvatore Cioffi)Catholic ChurchItalianTheravadin Buddhist missionary monk[8]
Roberto BaggioCatholic ChurchItalianfootballer [9] [10]
Kotahene Soma Maha TheraCatholic ChurchSri LankanTheravadin Buddhist monk, translator and missionary[11]
Aliana LohanCatholic ChurchAmericanactress, singer and fashion model[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]
Alanis MorissetteCatholic ChurchAmericansinger, songwriter and musician[17]
Solomon BandaranaikeAnglicanismSri Lankanformer Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and founder of Sri Lanka Freedom Party[18]
Dewi LestariCatholic ChurchIndonesianwriter, singer, and songwriter[19]
Prince Esper Esperovich UkhtomskyRussian Orthodox ChurchRussianpoet, publisher and Oriental enthusiast [20]
Helena BlavatskyRussian Orthodox ChurchRussianphilosopher, occultist, founder of the Theosophical Society[21]
Richard Tiffany GereMethodismAmericanFamous actor and producer, co-founder of Tibet House US[22]
Jimmy BarnesProtestantismAustralianSinger and rapper[23]
Orlando BloomChurch of EnglandEnglishFamous actor and leading man in Hollywood films[24] [25]
Ajahn Sumedho (Robert Karr Jackman)Episcopal Church (United States)Americanthe one who introduced Thai Forest Tradition to the West and most senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah[26]
LutheranismCanadiansenior western disciple of Ajahn Chah, founder & abbot of Tisarana Buddhist Monastery [27]
Ajahn BrahmNot specificEnglishsenior western disciple of Ajahn Chah and abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery[28]
Ajahn CandasiriNot specificScottishTheravada Buddhist nun of Thai Forest Tradition and one of the senior monastics in western Buddhist circle[29] [30]
Ayya Nirodha (Elizabeth Gorski)Catholic ChurchAustrian, later AustralianTheravada Buddhist nun of Thai Forest Tradition, former Abbess of Santi Forest Monastery
Tara BrachUnitarianismAmericanpsychologist and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D.C. (IMCW)[31]
Belinda CarlisleSouthern Baptist ConventionAmericansinger (the Go-Go's), songwriter[32] [33]
Houn Jiyu-KennettChurch of EnglandEnglishSoto Zen rōshi and founder of Shasta Abbey[34]
Catholic ChurchAmericanZen Buddhist rōshi, abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery[35]
Ananda Claude DalenbergDutch Reformed ChurchAmericanZen priest ordained by Shunryū Suzuki[36]
Michael D. ("Mugaku") ZimmermanEpiscopal Church (United States)Americanprominent attorney and former justice of the Utah Supreme Court[37]
William Oliver StoneEpiscopal Church (United States)Americanfilm director, producer, and screenwriter[38]
Pema ChödrönCatholic ChurchAmericanTibetan Buddhist nun[39]
Fabian FucanCatholic Church (Society of Jesus)Japanesewriter of tracts, at first supporting Christianity and then criticizing it[40]
Ko Ye LwinNot specificBurmeseprominent musician, guitarist and peace activist[41]
Alfred BloomEvangelicalismAmericanprofessor and dean of the Institute of Buddhist Studies[42]
Seungsahn HaengwonPresbyterianismKoreanSeon master and the founder of Kwan Um School of Zen[43]
Junius Richard JayewardeneNot specificSri Lankanfirst President of Sri Lanka and former Prime minister[44]
Steve JobsLutheranismAmericanco-founder of Apple Computer, Inc.[45] [46]
Charles R. JohnsonAfrican Methodist Episcopal ChurchAmericanpolitical cartoonist, novelist and Buddhist writer[47]
Dewi LestariPentecostalismIndonesiansinger and writer[48] [49]
Tsai Chih ChungCatholic ChurchTaiwanesefamous cartoonist, well-known in both Taiwan and mainland China[50]
Leung Man-taoCatholic ChurchChinesewriter, critic and host[51]
Christine RankinCatholic ChurchNew Zealanderpolitician and former civil servant who served as head of the Ministry of Social Development[52]
Seta ManoukianArmenian Apostolic ChurchArmenianArmenian painter[53]
Tina TurnerBaptistSwisssinger and actress[54]
Herman VetterlingSwedenborgianismAmericanmystic but he retained elements of Swedenborg thought after his conversion[55] [56]
Michael ImperioliCatholicismAmericanactor, writer, director, and musician.[57] [58]
Sam LaoChurch of the EastChineseRishi, Dalit Buddhist and New Age Scientist.[59] [60]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Life of Nyanatiloka: The Biography of a Western Buddhist Pioneer . Bhikkhu Nyanatusita and Hellmuth Hecker. 17 . 2008 . Buddhist Publication Society . 9789552402906.
  2. Web site: Archives. 2022-02-19. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  3. Web site: Bennett, (Charles Henry) Allan (1872-1923). Encyclopedia.com. October 29, 2020.
  4. Sachs . Adam . May 2012 . The Avengers Chris Evans: Just Your Average Beer-Swilling, Babe-Loving Buddhist . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130412044521/http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201205/chris-evans-avengers . April 12, 2013 . April 16, 2013.
  5. Eels . Josh . May 4, 2016 . 'Captain America: Civil War': Why Chris Evans Is the Anxious Avenger . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200822172219/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/captain-america-civil-war-why-chris-evans-is-the-anxious-avenger-60634/ . August 22, 2020 . August 31, 2020.
  6. Web site: Buddhist India, by T.W. Rhys Davids . Fsnow.com . March 5, 2012.
  7. http://www.theosophical.org/resources/library/olcott-centenary/family/olcott-family.htm Janet Kerschner, The Olcott Family
  8. Web site: From Catholic to Chemist to Buddhist Missionary. tricycle.org. January 26, 2021.
  9. Web site: Planet Sport: Roberto Baggio returns ponytail for Italian federation . The Guardian . August 8, 2010.
  10. Web site: Buddisti Soka Gakkai. Una Sabina vi convertirà . it . Chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it . March 5, 2012.
  11. The Path Of Freedom (Vimuttimagga) of Arahant Upatissa Translated from the Chinese by Rev. N. R. M. Ehara, Soma Thera, Kheminda Thera. Buddhist Publication Society. Kandy, Ceylon, page IX
  12. News: 9 Celebrities who publicly changed their religion. May 27, 2016. India.com. October 30, 2018. en.
  13. Web site: Lindsay Lohan Is Reportedly Converting to Islam. Complex.com. en. October 30, 2018.
  14. News: From Richard Gere to Katie Holmes: When celebs left their religion. May 22, 2016. dna. October 30, 2018. en-US.
  15. News: Lindsay Lohan confirms she's studying Islam after being seen with a Koran. The Washington Times. October 30, 2018. en-US.
  16. Ali Lohan. TV Guide. November 8, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208014728/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ali-lohan/294282/ . December 8, 2015. live.
  17. News: Alanis Morissette . December 26, 2021 . InsideNoVA . 'Ironic' singer Alanis Morissette has been practicing Buddhism many years. . September 16, 2021 . December 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211226042043/https://www.insidenova.com/lifestyles/entertainment/alanis-morissette/image_49e1d57b-4c85-553c-8d9d-c97b98e8c5ca.html . dead .
  18. Web site: Melkonian. Neery. Lebanon in the Armenian Imaginary: So Close with a Distance. Seismopolite: Journal of Art and Politics. July 31, 2017.
  19. Web site: CINEMA 21 . CINEMA 21 - We Are The Largest Cinema Chain In Indonesia . 2024-04-11 . CINEMA 21 . en-US.
  20. Johnson, K. Paul. Initiates of theosophical masters.(SUNY series in Western esoteric traditions/Suny Series in Political Party Development). SUNY Press, 1995., 978-0-7914-2555-8 page 125
  21. Book: Cranston, Sylvia . HPB: The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky, Founder of the Modern Theosophical Movement . 1993 . G.P. Putnam's Sons . London . 978-0-87477-688-1 . 9.
  22. Web site: Richard Gere: On guard. BBC News. January 25, 2021.
  23. Web site: McCarthy. Danielle. Why Jimmy Barnes abandoned son David Campbell as a baby OverSixty. 16 August 2021. Oversixty.com.au.
  24. http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/Orlando+Bloom-1695.html Orlando Bloom 'converts to Buddhism'
  25. http://www.independentfilmquarterly.com/ifq/interviews/orlandobloom.htm Interview with Orlando Bloom
  26. Web site: Buddha, by Ajahn Sumedho. Buddhism Now. October 28, 2020.
  27. Book: Choosing Buddhism: The Life Stories of Eight Canadians. Mauro Peressini . 69–101 . 2016 . Ottawa University Press; 1st edition . 9780776623337.
  28. Web site: I Kidnapped a Monk!. Buddhistdoor International. May 15, 2013.
  29. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/jesusandbuddhism_1.shtml BBC
  30. http://www.forestsangha.org/canda5.htm Ajahn Candasiri's website
  31. Web site: "Allow life to be as it is". 2020-10-31.
  32. News: Allez-allez - a Go-Go decides to turn French . The Sydney Morning Herald . March 5, 2007.
  33. Book: Carlisle, Belinda. Lips Unsealed: A Memoir. 2011. Crown Publishing Group. 978-0-307-46350-0. 222.
  34. Book: Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. Kay, David N.. 120–121 . 2007 . Routledge.
  35. Book: Opening the Doors of Wonder: Reflections on Religious Rites of Passage. Magida, Arthur J. . 203 . 2006. University of California Press. 0520245458.
  36. Web site: Ananda Claude Dalenberg Biographical Notes . Cuke.com. November 1, 2020.
  37. News: Utah justice now Zen teacher . Deseret News . December 16, 2006 . Elaine . Jarvik.
  38. Web site: The religion of director Oliver Stone . Adherents.com . January 25, 2021 . usurped . https://web.archive.org/web/20101202151204/http://www.adherents.com/people/ps/Oliver_Stone.html . December 2, 2010 .
  39. https://www.pbs.org/moyers/faithandreason/portraits_chodron.html PBS
  40. Book: De Bary, William Theodore. Sources of East Asian Tradition: The modern period. Columbia University Press. 2008. 978-0-231-14323-3. 184–185.
  41. Web site: Ko Ye Lwin: a great musician and a late Buddhist samaritan. 20 July 2018. 26 November 2020. The Myanmar Times. Zon Pann Pwint.
  42. Web site: Former UH professor shared compassion of Shin Buddhism. Gee. Pat. 2017-08-29. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. en-US. 2020-11-25.
  43. Book: Ford, James Ishmael. James Ishmael Ford. Zen Master Who?. Wisdom Publications. 2006. 99, 100, 101. 0-86171-509-8.
  44. Book: de Silva, K. M. . J.R. Jayewardene of Sri Lanka . William Howard Wriggins . William Howard Wriggins . 1988 . University of Hawaii Press . Honolulu, HI . 0-8248-1183-6 . 133 .
  45. https://web.archive.org/web/20120117070405/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/what-do-steve-jobs-final-words-mean/2011/10/27/gIQAGxXbZM_blog.html What do Steve Jobs’s final words mean?
  46. https://archive.today/20120709172241/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-05/tech/tech_innovation_steve-jobs-philosophy_1_tim-cook-steve-jobs-apple-s-ceo The spiritual side of Steve Jobs
  47. http://books.monstersandcritics.com/features/article_1308738.php/The_M%26C_Interview_1_Charles_Johnson_6_07 Charles R. Johnson interview at Monsters&Critics
  48. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2006/04/02/dewi-039dee039-lestari-love-spirituality-and-ecology.htm Dewi 'Dee' Lestari: Love, spirituality and ecology
  49. Web site: Sensasi Pernikahan Kedua Dewi Lestari . 2015-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151121042456/http://www.cumicumi.com/news/read/5164/sensasi-pernikahan-kedua-dewi-lestari . 2015-11-21 . dead .
  50. Web site: 漫畫大師蔡志忠 少林寺落髮出家. cna.com.tw. November 20, 2020.
  51. http://fo.ifeng.com/zhongsheng/200912/1202_42_59499.shtml 凤凰网：梁文道在佛教中寻找人生方向
  52. News: Free-range soul searching replacing organised religion in NZ. Claire Harvey. 2005-12-31. New Zealand Herald.
  53. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E1DA1639F93AA2575BC0A962958260 New York Times
  54. Book: Orth, Maureen. The Importance of Being Famous . registration . buddhist. . 42. July 21, 2012. 9780805075458. Proud Tina: Tina Turner. Henry Holt and Company. 2004.
  55. http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/loy11.htm The Dharma of Emanuel Swedenborg: A Buddhist Perspective
  56. Imagining Tibet : Perceptions, Projections, and Fantasies by Thierry Dodin
  57. Web site: Buddhist Channel | Personality .
  58. Web site: Inside the Zen Mind of Michael Imperioli . 3 September 2020 .
  59. http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/loy11.htm The Dharma of Emanuel Swedenborg: A Buddhist Perspective
  60. Imagining Tibet : Perceptions, Projections, and Fantasies by Thierry Dodin

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