ちょっと置かせてもらいますよ>>943>>945 6 December 2004 BUDDHIST HUNK Lord of the Rings star Orlando joins the faith at special ritual By Rebecca Smith HOLLYWOOD hunk Orlando Bloom has taken his first steps towards becoming 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. 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, Berks. A visitor said: "He looked really happy. He looked comfortable and quite excited." He was presented with his Gohonzon, a scroll with Chinese and Sanskrit characters on it. He had earlier arrived at the retreat on Saturday morning with two guests. Orlando, dressed in jeans, a camel coloured sweater and shirt, 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."
His Gohonzon will take pride of place in his home. It is likely to be kept in a wooden shrine, surrounded by candles. Orlando will 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. Orlando, who also starred alongside Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean, has been dating actress Kate Bosworth, 21, for the past 18 months. They met on the set of a Gap advert last year. Kate, who lives in Los Angeles is believed to be house hunting in London so she can be near Englishman Orlando. She is working in Britain on psychological thriller Awake, also starring Helen Mirren. Last week, Orlando deliberately arrived late to the premiere of Kate's latest movie Beyond The Sea because he didn't want to upstage her on the red carpet. The couple recently rubbished reports that they had got engaged.