List of converts to Buddhism from Christianity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Notable people who converted to Buddhism from Christianity
This is a list of notable converts to Buddhism from Christianity.
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| Name | Former denomination | Nationality | Notes | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cher | Armenian Apostolic Church | American | musician and actress | [1][2][3] |
| Nyanatiloka Mahathera (Anton Walther Florus Gueth) | Catholic Church | German | one of the earliest western Buddhist monks and founder of Island Hermitage | [4] |
| Penélope Cruz | Spanish | actress and model | [5] | |
| Eileen Gu | Anglicism | Chinese-American | freestyle skier | [6][7] |
| Anthony Lee | Baptist | American | actor and activist | [8] |
| Ananda Metteya (Charles Henry Allan Bennett) | Catholic Church | British | one of the earliest western Buddhist monk and established the first Buddhist Mission in the United Kingdom | [9] |
| Chris Evans | American | actor and producer | [10][11] | |
| Thomas William Rhys Davids | Congregationalism | British | scholar of the Pāli language and founder of Pali Text Society | [12] |
| Colonel Henry Steel Olcott | Presbyterianism | American | military officer, lawyer and first well-known American to make a formal conversion to Buddhism | [13] |
| Lokanatha (Salvatore Cioffi) | Catholic Church | Italian | Theravadin Buddhist missionary monk | [14] |
| Roberto Baggio | Catholic Church | Italian | footballer | [15][16] |
| Kotahene Soma Maha Thera | Sri Lankan | Theravadin Buddhist monk, translator and missionary | [17] | |
| Aliana Lohan | American | actress, singer and fashion model | [18][19][20][21][22] | |
| Alanis Morissette | American | singer-songwriter and musician | [23] | |
| Sophia Abrahão | Brazilian | model and actress | [24] | |
| Venerable Gotamī (Martina Catania) | Italian | bhikkuni and author | [25] | |
| Solomon Bandaranaike | Anglicanism | Sri Lankan | former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and founder of Sri Lanka Freedom Party | [26] |
| Melody Gardot | Dutch Reformed Church | American | singer and model | [27] |
| Catherine Spaak | Protestantism | French | actress and singer | [28] |
| Dewi Lestari | Catholic Church | Indonesian | writer, singer-songwriter | [29] |
| Dayenne Mesquita | Brazilian | actress and model | [30] | |
| Prince Esper Esperovich Ukhtomsky | Russian Orthodox Church | Russian | poet, publisher and Oriental enthusiast | [31] |
| Helena Blavatsky | Russian Orthodox Church | Russian | philosopher, occultist, founder of the Theosophical Society | [32] |
| Richard Tiffany Gere | Methodism | American | actor and producer, co-founder of Tibet House US | [33] |
| Jimmy Barnes | Protestantism | Australian | singer and rapper | [34] |
| Orlando Bloom | Church of England | English | actor and leading man in Hollywood films | [35][36] |
| Ajahn Sumedho (Robert Karr Jackman) | Episcopal Church (United States) | American | the one who introduced Thai Forest Tradition to the West and most senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah | [37] |
| Ajahn Viradhammo (Vitauts Akers) | Lutheranism | Canadian | senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah, founder & abbot of Tisarana Buddhist Monastery | [38] |
| Ajahn Brahm | Not specific | English | senior western disciple of Ajahn Chah and abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery | [39] |
| Ajahn Candasiri | Not specific | Scottish | Theravada Buddhist nun of Thai Forest Tradition and one of the senior monastics in western Buddhist circle | [40][41] |
| Ayya Nirodha (Elizabeth Gorski) | Catholic Church | Austrian, later Australian | Theravada Buddhist nun of Thai Forest Tradition, former Abbess of Santi Forest Monastery | [42] |
| Tara Brach | Unitarianism | American | psychologist and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D.C. (IMCW) | [43] |
| Belinda Carlisle | Southern Baptist Convention | American | singer (the Go-Go's), songwriter | [44][45] |
| Houn Jiyu-Kennett | Church of England | English | Soto Zen rōshi and founder of Shasta Abbey | [46] |
| John Daido Loori | Catholic Church | American | Zen Buddhist rōshi, abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery | [47] |
| Ananda Claude Dalenberg | Dutch Reformed Church | American | Zen priest ordained by Shunryū Suzuki | [48] |
| Michael D. ("Mugaku") Zimmerman | Episcopal Church (United States) | American | prominent attorney and former justice of the Utah Supreme Court | [49] |
| William Oliver Stone | Episcopal Church (United States) | American | film director, producer, and screenwriter | [50] |
| Pema Chödrön | Catholic Church | American | Tibetan Buddhist nun | [51] |
| Fabian Fucan | Catholic Church (Society of Jesus) | Japanese | writer of tracts, at first supporting Christianity and then criticizing it | [52] |
| Ko Ye Lwin | Not specific | Burmese | prominent musician, guitarist and peace activist | [53] |
| Alfred Bloom | Evangelicalism | American | professor and dean of the Institute of Buddhist Studies | [54] |
| Seungsahn Haengwon | Presbyterianism | Korean | Seon master and the founder of Kwan Um School of Zen | [55] |
| Junius Richard Jayewardene | Not specific | Sri Lankan | first President of Sri Lanka and former Prime minister | [56] |
| Steve Jobs | Lutheranism | American | co-founder of Apple Computer, Inc. | [57][58] |
| Charles R. Johnson | African Methodist Episcopal Church | American | political cartoonist, novelist and Buddhist writer | [59] |
| Dewi Lestari | Pentecostalism | Indonesian | singer and writer | [60][61] |
| Tsai Chih Chung | Catholic Church | Taiwanese | famous cartoonist, well known in both Taiwan and mainland China | [62] |
| Leung Man-tao | Chinese | writer, critic and host | [63] | |
| Christine Rankin | New Zealander | politician and former civil servant who served as head of the Ministry of Social Development | [64] | |
| Seta Manoukian | Armenian Apostolic Church | Armenian | Armenian painter | [65] |
| Tina Turner | Baptist | Swiss | singer and actress | [66] |
| Herman Vetterling | Swedenborgianism | American | mystic but he retained elements of Swedenborg thought after his conversion | [67][68] |
| Michael Imperioli | Catholicism | American | actor, writer, director, and musician | [69][70] |
| Sam Lao | Church of the East | Chinese | Rishi, Dalit Buddhist and New Age Scientist | [71][72] |
| Theodor Schultze | Protestantism | German | Civil servant, religious writer | [73] |
See also
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References
- ↑ Schube, Will (2021-11-01). "Cher Announces Streaming Event To Benefit Buddhist Monastery And Nunnery In Nepal". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
- ↑ Leach, Robin (June 13, 2010). "Cher says she's now a Buddhist". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
- ↑ Collins, Nancy (2010-07-01). "Cher's Los Angeles High-Rise Features Decor from Around the World". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
- ↑ Bhikkhu Nyanatusita and Hellmuth Hecker (2008). The Life of Nyanatiloka: The Biography of a Western Buddhist Pioneer. Buddhist Publication Society. p. 17. ISBN 9789552402906.
- ↑ Galloway, Stephen (2017-03-22). "New Again: Penélope Cruz". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
- ↑ "5 Winter Olympians Who Rely On Faith In The Quest For Gold". Religion Unplugged. 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "谷爱凌：我已信仰佛教 摆脱外界舆论与声誉的影响 - 国际 - 即时国际 | 星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines". www.sinchew.com.my. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ↑ "Bennett, (Charles Henry) Allan (1872-1923)". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ↑ Sachs, Adam (May 2012). "The Avengers' Chris Evans: Just Your Average Beer-Swilling, Babe-Loving Buddhist". Details. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ↑ Eels, Josh (May 4, 2016). "'Captain America: Civil War': Why Chris Evans Is the Anxious Avenger". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ↑ "Buddhist India, by T.W. Rhys Davids". Fsnow.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ↑ Janet Kerschner, The Olcott Family Archived 2008-12-18 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "From Catholic to Chemist to Buddhist Missionary". tricycle.org. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ↑ "Planet Sport: Roberto Baggio returns ponytail for Italian federation". The Guardian. August 8, 2010.
- ↑ "Buddisti Soka Gakkai. Una Sabina vi convertirà" (in Italian). Chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "9 Celebrities who publicly changed their religion". India.com. May 27, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Lindsay Lohan Is Reportedly Converting to Islam". Complex.com. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ↑ Antao, Lisa (May 22, 2016). "From Richard Gere to Katie Holmes: When celebs left their religion". dna. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ↑ Blake, Andrew (April 21, 2016). "Lindsay Lohan confirms she's studying Islam after being seen with a Koran". The Washington Times. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Ali Lohan". TV Guide. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Alanis Morissette". InsideNoVA. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
'Ironic' singer Alanis Morissette has been practicing Buddhism many years.
- ↑ "Sophia Abrahão: Quem ria de mim no começo, passou a me imitar". CLAUDIA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ↑ Gotami; Bassani, Erica (2026-02-24). "Why I Became a Nun at 23". Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ↑ Melkonian, Neery. "Lebanon in the Armenian Imaginary: So Close with a Distance". Seismopolite: Journal of Art and Politics. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ↑ Ouch Team. "13 Questions: Melody Gardot". BBC. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
- ↑ TG24, Sky (2018-04-03). "Catherine Spaak compie 73 anni". tg24.sky.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-01-30.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ CINEMA 21. "CINEMA 21 - We Are The Largest Cinema Chain In Indonesia". CINEMA 21. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Terraço Paulistano". VEJA SÃO PAULO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ↑ Johnson, K. Paul. Initiates of theosophical masters.(SUNY series in Western esoteric traditions/Suny Series in Political Party Development). SUNY Press, 1995. ISBN 0-7914-2555-X, 978-0-7914-2555-8 page 125
- ↑ Cranston, Sylvia (1993). HPB: The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky, Founder of the Modern Theosophical Movement. London: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-87477-688-1.
- ↑ "Richard Gere: On guard". BBC News. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ↑ McCarthy, Danielle. "Why Jimmy Barnes abandoned son David Campbell as a baby OverSixty". Oversixty.com.au. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ↑ Orlando Bloom 'converts to Buddhism'
- ↑ Interview with Orlando Bloom Archived March 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Buddha, by Ajahn Sumedho". Buddhism Now. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ↑ Mauro Peressini (2016). Choosing Buddhism: The Life Stories of Eight Canadians. Ottawa University Press; 1st edition. pp. 69–101. ISBN 9780776623337.
- ↑ "I Kidnapped a Monk!". Buddhistdoor International. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
- ↑ BBC
- ↑ Ajahn Candasiri's website Archived July 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Trebilcock, Freeman (2016-09-01), Buddhist Life Stories of Australia - Venerable Nirodha Bhikkhuni, retrieved 2021-10-02
- ↑ ""Allow life to be as it is"" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-10-31.
- ↑ "Allez-allez - a Go-Go decides to turn French". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 5, 2007.
- ↑ Carlisle, Belinda (2011). Lips Unsealed: A Memoir. Crown Publishing Group. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-307-46350-0.
- ↑ Kay, David N. (2007). Tibetan and Zen Buddhism in Britain: Transplantation, Development and Adaptation. Routledge. pp. 120–121.
- ↑ Magida, Arthur J. (2006). Opening the Doors of Wonder: Reflections on Religious Rites of Passage. University of California Press. p. 203. ISBN 0520245458.
- ↑ "Ananda Claude Dalenberg Biographical Notes". Cuke.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ↑ Jarvik, Elaine (December 16, 2006). "Utah justice now Zen teacher". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012.
- ↑ "The religion of director Oliver Stone". Adherents.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ↑ PBS
- ↑ De Bary, William Theodore (2008). Sources of East Asian Tradition: The modern period. Columbia University Press. pp. 184–185. ISBN 978-0-231-14323-3.
- ↑ Zon Pann Pwint (20 July 2018). "Ko Ye Lwin: a great musician and a late Buddhist samaritan". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
- ↑ Gee, Pat (2017-08-29). "Former UH professor shared compassion of Shin Buddhism". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- ↑ Ford, James Ishmael (2006). Zen Master Who?. Wisdom Publications. pp. 99, 100, 101. ISBN 0-86171-509-8.
- ↑ de Silva, K. M.; William Howard Wriggins (1988). J.R. Jayewardene of Sri Lanka. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press. p. 133. ISBN 0-8248-1183-6.
- ↑ What do Steve Jobs’s final words mean?
- ↑ The spiritual side of Steve Jobs
- ↑ Charles R. Johnson interview at Monsters&Critics Archived 2007-11-08 at the Wayback Machine: "Buddhism has been my refuge (as it was intended to be for practitioners) since I was 14-years-old, and first sat in formal meditation."
- ↑ Dewi 'Dee' Lestari: Love, spirituality and ecology[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Sensasi Pernikahan Kedua Dewi Lestari". Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
- ↑ "漫畫大師蔡志忠 少林寺落髮出家". cna.com.tw. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ↑ 凤凰网：梁文道在佛教中寻找人生方向(in Chinese)
- ↑ Claire Harvey (2005-12-31). "Free-range soul searching replacing organised religion in NZ". New Zealand Herald.
- ↑ New York Times
- ↑ Orth, Maureen (2004). "Proud Tina: Tina Turner". The Importance of Being Famous. Henry Holt and Company. p. 42. ISBN 9780805075458. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
buddhist.
- ↑ The Dharma of Emanuel Swedenborg: A Buddhist Perspective
- ↑ Imagining Tibet : Perceptions, Projections, and Fantasies by Thierry Dodin
- ↑ "Buddhist Channel | Personality".
- ↑ "Inside the Zen Mind of Michael Imperioli". 3 September 2020.
- ↑ The Dharma of Emanuel Swedenborg: A Buddhist Perspective
- ↑ Imagining Tibet: Perceptions, Projections, and Fantasies by Thierry Dodin
- ↑ Myers, Perry (2013). German Visions of India, 1871– 1918: Commandeering the Holy Ganges during the Kaiserreich. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 86–96. ISBN 9781137299710.
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