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Who are some notable figures in history who were influenced by Buddhism?

Esperanza Lloyds

Well, well, well! Who would have thought that Buddhism, a religion and philosophy from ancient times, would have such a profound impact on notable figures in history? Let me tell you, my friend, there are quite a few to mention!

First off, there's the great American actor, Richard Gere. Did you know that he has been a follower of Buddhism for over 40 years? Yep, it's true! Gere first encountered Buddhism while filming a movie in Nepal and it had such a profound impact on him that he has been a practicing Buddhist ever since.

Next up, we have the infamous Steve Jobs. You know, the co-founder of Apple? Jobs was heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism and regularly practiced meditation. He even went on a seven-month retreat to India to deepen his understanding of meditation and spirituality. It's safe to say that his spiritual beliefs played a significant role in the success of Apple.

Moving on, we have the one and only Dalai Lama. Now, this may not come as a surprise to many of you, but did you know that the Dalai Lama is not only a spiritual leader but also a political one? That's right, he was the head of state in Tibet until its occupation by China in 1959. The Dalai Lama has been a lifelong advocate for peace, nonviolence, and compassion, all teachings of Buddhism.

Last but certainly not least, we have the influential philosopher and writer, Alan Watts. He was an interpreter of Zen Buddhism and also heavily influenced by Taoism and Hinduism. Watts's lectures and books on Eastern philosophy were influential in the development of the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

So there you have it, folks! These are just a few notable figures in history who were influenced by Buddhism. Who would have thought that an ancient belief system could have such a significant impact on modern-day individuals? But hey, that's the beauty of history and how it shapes our world today.