My first encounter with Buddhist dharma would be in my early 20s. Like most young men, I was not particularly happy.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
When I was first introduced to Buddhism in a high school World Studies class, I dismissed it out of hand. This was during the hedonistic days of the late '60s, and this spiritual path seemed so grim with its concern about attachment and, apparently, anti-pleasure.
I am a simple Buddhist monk - no more, no less.
When I first was exposed to Buddhism in the mid-1960s, I said it was so practical and utterly pragmatic. That's what attracted me to Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhism had an enormous impact on me.
I certainly haven't lived the life of a Buddhist monk.
Buddhism has had a major effect on who I am and how I think about the world. What I have learned is that I like all religions, but only parts of them.
Just studying Buddhism, then meditating and going to Buddhist monasteries, talking to Buddhist monks, combined with the Thai people themselves, changed the way I look at the world.
I was 3 when I told my mom that I knew what my dharma was and that I wanted to be an actor.
I know that I came into the world with what I call 'big dharma' - with a blueprint to teach self-reliance and a positive loving approach to large numbers of people all over the globe. I am ever so grateful for the circumstances of my life that allowed me to be pretty much left alone and to develop as I was so intended in this incarnation.
I grew up in a mostly Buddhist environment.