Amy Winehouse: Buddhist

Award winning popstar Amy Winehouse (askmen.com)

Singer and "Rehab" aficionado Amy Winehouse has taken up Buddhism, apparently being inspired by singer Tina Turner to seek solace in the religion.

The Buddha-Dharma is open to all, and all have something to gain. Whether it's meditation and liberation...or values (sila) and self-discipline..or just trendy tee shirts and a sensible worldview, Buddhism has it all. Even if it's the antithesis of the Buddha's principle message, immediate material benefit, there's a popular mantra to chant straight out of Japan. The Buddha's overarching message of love, tolerance, and self-improvement invites all to "come and see for themselves."

Amy Winehouse is feeling Much Buddha
BANG Showbiz/The Sun (9/02/08)

Amy Winehouse has taken up Buddhism. The troubled star -- who doctors reportedly fear could be brain damaged after a recent cannabis overdose -- has been inspired by singer Tina Turner to seek solace in the religion. The 24-year-old singer chants Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, a form of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism [Soka Gakai International].

A source told Britain's The Sun [link to tabloid coverage here] newspaper: "Amy was introduced to Buddhist chanting by one of her musicians. She chants for 10 minutes in the mornings and just before she sleeps. "Amy has also been watching the interview clip of Tina Turner chanting on YouTube [as seem on WQ] and she reckons it's already affecting her in a positive way.

"She has a string of Buddhist beads that she chants with, which she keeps in a red silk scarf. She says chanting is filling her life with positivity." Amy has endured a turbulent 2008. She has been in and out of rehab, involved in several drunken brawls, seen her husband Blake Fielder-Civil jailed and suffer numerous health problems, including scarring of the lungs. The "Rehab" singer is planning to dress up as a mermaid for her performance at the Bestival music festival on the Isle of Wight this weekend, for the "30,000 Freaks Under The Sea" fancy dress theme.