Stars find peace in ancient philosophy

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 18

Stars find peace in ancient philosophy

Growing numbers of screen stars are finding inner calm through the gentle cult of Buddhism. DUO writer ROBIN CORRY talks with some converts to the celebrity cult of the eighties.

He is an unlikely recruit to the gentle cult of Buddhism ... Larry Ragman, better known as evil J.R., arch-baddie of T.V.’s “Dallas.” Hagman has turned to the Eastern religion because he was impressed by the way it helped his co-star Patrick Duffy, when his parents were murdered last year. Since he began chanting Buddhist prayers twice a week, he says he feels calmer and more at peace with himself. He is the latest showbusiness star to be hooked on the ancient philsophy that has become the celebrity cult of the eighties. Patrick Duffy, who plays Bobby Ewing, has been a Buddhist for 15 years. He says: “Larry expressed amazement that I wasn’t bitter or broken by what had happened. He was more surprised when I told him I was praying for the souls of the killers. “I explained to him that in many other future lives they would have to work out the terrible deed they’d done and would

experience a great deal of pain. ’ “My religion is very strong. Though Lord Buddha took away my parents, now he has opened the eyes of my friend Larry to the true way.” Tina Turner is best known for her wild and sexy stage act, her revealing outfits and her multi-million-selling songs celebrating desire and passion. But after every show Turner can be found in her dressing room, chanting rhythmic Buddhist prayers to regain her peace and tranquillity. At home a special room in her house is set aside as a small Buddhist altar where, twice a day she lights four candles, kneels and, swaying backwards and forwards, chants her prayers. She says: “I know people think I do a lot of boozing and partying and that I’m a free girl with lots of lovers.

“But that’s, my; act, that’s not who I am. I chant twice a day and it is the Buddhist faith that has finally given me control over my life. “Before I started chanting I used to fight my image. Now I can accept the sweat and wildness that is Tina Turner. It’s what I’m meant to do in this lifetime and I’m at ease with it “Chanting helps me get rid .of the rubbish in my life. It’s like turning on a hose to clean off air the mud.” East Enders star Peter Dean admits he used to drink heavily and mix with a fairly violent crowd in London’s East End. But today, while the rest of the cast are enjoying a drink, he is in his dressing room chanting. The change came when Peter, who plays Pete Beale, converted to Buddhism, with its creed of anti-violence.

“It has made me think of other people. It has dope me a lot of good,” he says. . .■ “What I like about Buddhism is that it asks nothing of you and it doesn’t ask you to give anything up. I can smoke, drink and eat as much as, I like. “I could even have an affair with my best friend’s wife if I liked. But I wouldn’t do it because Buddhism teaches you that eventually you Will have to live with what you do. “The fantastic thing is that it has really helped me to calm down. Sometimes I come into work and I’m in a really foul mood. In the bad old days I’d have taken it out on the rest of the cast, but now I just slip out and chant my mantra.” Peter’s co-star Oscar James is convinced it was his Buddhist faith that helped him stage a miraculous recovery after he

Performers for whom Buddhism has brought new tranquillity. From left:.Peter Dean ... mantras in the dressing room; Tina Turner ... altar set up at home; Larry Hagman... more at peace with himself.

collapsed with a burst duodenal ulcer last May. Oscar, who plays Tony Carpenter, was visiting his parents in New York when he : was’ rushed to hospital for an emergency operation. Afterwards, he was hovering between life and death.. “My mother is a devout Baptist,” he says. “She sat at my bedside reciting the Lord’s Prayer.” But Oscar managed to

whisper: “No, mamma,” and began to chant Buddhist mantras. From that point he made one of the fastest recoveries doctors had seen. “It usually takes months, maybe a year, to recover properly,” he says,, "I was up in four days and back at work on ‘EastEnders’ in about three weeks.” Oscar was a Christian until he discovered Buddhism four years ago. “I learned that Buddhism means respecting life and the dignity of everyone else’s life,” he says. “Now I chant to myself every day for at least three hours. “I chant mainly for world peace because that’s what concerns me most. But if there is anything in particular that I want, then I chant for that, too. Really, it’s all

about positive thinking.” Buddhism, which originated in Japan before Christianity, is the Only major religion with no . god to worship. It aims for world peace through everyone being individually happy. Whether all the growing band of rich and famous disciples in the West are driven by a desire to find the meaning of life, or whether some are simply embracing the current trendy cult is hard to tell. The religion is certainly gaining some unlikely. converts. Just a few months ago the troubled Boy George declared himself a Buddhist And comedian Billy ‘Connolly, who once , said he. was always, either drunk or had a hangover, has quit . drinking and turned vegetarian since turbine to Buddhism.