Tina Turner the powerful Buddhist
My friends,
Years ago I was at home (early 80’s) in New Jersey flipping through the channels on the TV and came across Saturday Night Live (a big big show back then). I didn’t really appreciate the show, but watched it out of boredom. It was years later when I got older I realized what a talented show that was. Anyways, that night this powerful black or whatever lady came on with spiky long loud blonde hair singing ‘Hot Legs’… and I was taken aback. I stared at her. I didn’t know if she was Black, Mexican, mixed parentage or what. I mean all those races are beautiful, but she was so outstanding, electrifying and exotic. I couldn’t pin who she was and never heard of her… I stared. And that was the first time I came across Tina Turner. I didn’t get into her music then as I was too young to appreciate it. A decade and half later I saw a movie on her life story “What’s Love Got to Do With It” starring Angela Bassett and I WAS MOVED. Tina’s talent, strength, fortitude, hardwork, efforts and sheer spirituality took me by surprise. I became her instant fan and listened to her electrifying voice. Shocked at the uniqueness of her voice and her tornado-like presence on stage I realized she was a person of great strength that inspires me. (Angela Bassett did a powerful job in acting out Tina Turner. Not easy to act the role of Tina! Kudos to Ms Bassett.)
I have blogged here a few of her incredible journey of spirituality and performance. PLEASE WATCH THEM ALL AND BE INSPIRED, AWED AND MOVED. It will tell you who she is and how we can relate to her.
She’s is one of my favorite people and I want to share people like this with you so you can know what we can achieve if we don’t give up no matter how hard things get.
Tsem Rinpoche
Tina Turner on Larry King
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TinaTurnerWithBuddhistChantingTraining.mp4
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TinaTurnerInterview.mp4
Larry King is a great interviewer. He is not afraid and really can ask sensitive questions. I love Tina here very open, fun, direct and when Larry ‘jokes’ about her spirituality, the powerful Tina says “don’t”… and Larry obeys… hehe. Larry and Tina are both great.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/tina001.mp4
See this video of Tina Turner in her private shrine in her home in Switzerland where she lived for decades. Her shrine is sooo beautiful and Tina radiates acceptance, success and strength. Powerful.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/tina002.mp4
Tina is chanting one of the mantras/prayers here for all of us that got her through all the difficult times in her life.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/tina003.mp4
Tina Turner recorded a spiritual chanting album with Regula Curti and a Tibetan Dechen Shak-Dagsay
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/JamesBond_GoldenEyeMusicVideo_TinaTurner_Drumble007.mp4
See Ms Tina Turner in her Music video and how powerful she is…what a great performing artist of Mega star status….She is a star and yet very spiritual and grounded.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Tina_Turner_Goldeneye_Live_2009.mp4
OH MY GOODNESS… see Tina here performing at 70!!! She is 70 and look at her… She is so good… so powerful. She reminds of me of the Buddhist Female Buddha Sindongma or Vajra Yogini.
Please leave me comments and tell me what you think of Tina, her spiritual journey and her enormous talent. She is one person I would love to meet and offer a Buddha statue to as a special gift from the Tibetan Tradition.
Tina Turner’s short bio
Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre has led many to call her the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Success followed with a string of hits including “River Deep, Mountain High” and the 1971 hit “Proud Mary”. With the publication of her autobiography I, Tina (1986), Turner revealed severe instances of spousal abuse against her by Ike Turner prior to their 1976 split and subsequent 1978 divorce. After virtually disappearing from the music scene for several years following her divorce from Ike Turner, she rebuilt her career, launching a string of hits beginning in 1983 with the single “Let’s Stay Together” and the 1984 release of her fifth solo album Private Dancer.
Her musical career led to film roles, beginning with a prominent role as The Acid Queen in the 1975 film Tommy, and an appearance in Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. She starred opposite Mel Gibson as Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome for which she received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, and her version of the film’s theme, “We Don’t Need Another Hero”, was a hit single. She appeared in the 1993 film Last Action Hero.
One of the world’s most popular entertainers, Turner has been called the most successful female rock artist and was named “one of the greatest singers of all time” by Rolling Stone. Her combined album and single sales total approximately 180 million copies worldwide. She has sold more concert tickets than any other solo music performer in history. She is known for her energetic stage presence, powerful vocals, career longevity, and widespread appeal. In 2008, Turner left semi-retirement to embark on her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour. Turner’s tour became one of the highest selling ticketed shows of 2008–2009. Turner was born a Christian, but converted to Buddhism and credits the spiritual chants with giving her the strength that she needed to get through the rough times. Rolling Stone ranked her at 63 on their 100 greatest artists of all time and considers her the “Queen of Rock and Roll”.
Source: Wikipedia
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Rinpoche, I just read the news about Tina Turner, one of the greatest rock’n ’roll singers of all time, a powerful vocalist, an iconic & a legendary singer has died in Switzerland at the age of 83 (May 24th 2023). I hope she will have good rebirth….
Thank you Rinpoche for introducing her in Your blog. When I saw the sad news, I immediately think about this article.
In remembrance – Tina Turner, the powerful Buddhist.
Tina Turner one of the most energetic and vocally-magnificent artists . Born Christian had sought solace in reciting Buddhist mantra that changed her life. An ancient and mystical Buddhist chant to connect to a higher power beyond her human understanding that has changed her and lifting the load of the pressure off in her life . Incredible… She is so powerful and a deeply spiritual woman ,inspiring bringing millions of people across the world of her mantras and Buddhist teachings in music. I do enjoyed listening to her powerful voice and chanting.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
I’d vote for Sindongma Rinpoche. I can imagine her as Sindongma, wildly powerful yet controlled and precise in her actions (singing).
Tina Turner is indeed amazing. She reminds me a little bit of Magadha Zangmo, where she helps to spread Buddhism in her own ways to people around her. From her being openly talking about her religion and being so proud of it, it already inspire more people to be like her despite things that people may say.
Tina Turner is indeed a Queen. Not just a Queen of rock that simple. Her actions and courage is what inspires people . Even though she is not a sangha member, it doesn’t mean anything. As a lay practitioner sharing and spreading what she love in her means. It truly shows the aspect of focusing out in Buddhist teachings.
She is firm in her believes and allows no one to make fun of it. With her being so firm in things that she do, also shows people that Buddhism is not something to be taken lightly of, and definitely not a joke that people can make fun of it.
In her interviews she demonstrates how she does her chants, it is soothing. It reminds me of how prayers are being done in monasteries that means peacefulness and calmness. Relaxing the minds of people to change and inspire us.
Through her example, it shows that karma does exist. And when we believe and surrender ourselves, that is when we see changes within ourselves and around us.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us this short but indeed powerful article with us. It does inspire me to be more like Tina Turner, a modern day Magadha Zangmo. Spreading and bringing Buddhism to people that really need it, but do not know so till they are in contact with it.
What a charismatic and powerful woman Tina is! I watched the clips of her interview and one can’t see traces of bitterness in her from her awful relationship with her ex. Her buddhist practice must have helped her heal. Anyway i found the link to the movie that is mentioned in Rinpoche’s post. I’ll watch in over the weekend and give feedback on what I learnt. Her singing style reminds me of modern say singers like Adele who is a stunnign singer and well versed in her craft. Kudos to this brave lady.
I admire Tina Turner. I wish very much that I had her strength. I’m going thru something similar to what she went thru with my boyfriend and I swear no matter where I look I can’t find the strength or courage to leave and stay away. So many days I just want to give up, every time I find the strength to stand he knocks me back down. I’ve tried meditating but I’m just so tired and beaten by life I feel as if it doesn’t work. It’s a struggle to want to live, to put on a facade at work and have my family and friends worry so much about me. To not want to care, or love, or feel, or think, or be anything or anywhere. To want to fall asleep and never wake up. Because of her I will keep trying to fall into meditation and pray that it works for me. I was born Baptist but I feel God has forgotten about me or maybe he’s disappointed in me too and figured I would figure it out one day. Or maybe there is no God and we just have to suffer until we figure out how not to anymore. How do you not suffer in life? How do you not feel pain?
Wow, amazing stunning altar of Tina Turner… Rejoice!!!
She is so dedicated in Buddhism, hopefully through her sharing many of others may connect to holy Dharma hence more and more peoples may get 3 jewels blessing to have a real Peace environment…
Tina is an outstanding, wonderfull, warmhearted woman.
Actually I can’t find the right words right now to describe her.
She’s overwhelmingly kind.
I like her version of Om Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu very much. Her signature rocker edginess added extra character to this chanting. Thank you with folded hands for sharing her extraordinary story, Rinpoche.
Just to share the mantra Tina was chanting in this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XP-f7wPM0A
Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Shāntir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Pūrnam Bhavatu
Sarveśām Maṇgalam Bhavatu
May there be happiness in all
May there be peace in all
May there be completeness in all
May there be success in all
This is an amazing article for an amazing woman.You are a true inspiration to me and many others who have reached this time in their lives.You will always remain the queen of rock as you are “simply the best” Thank you for sharing Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for the wonderful sharing about Tina Turner
I had heard about Tina Turner but never had any interests in her music and stories. After watching the videos, I have so much respect and admiration for her. The sharing about how did she stay strong when things going tough. Some of us learn and come for pujas or dharma classes only when we are “free”. We will forget about dharma when things aren’t going well to focus on our problem. Her sharing about Buddhism helped her when she was down really inspire me to have faith in Buddhism and with our Guru.
We watched the film about Tina Turner’s life recently and since then I walk around with her music in my head. I heard interviews with her a few years ago and I remember her saying that after leaving Ike, she stopped completely with the music and went working as a waitress to bring up her children. I didn’t know that she was bringing up two children from Ike’s previous relationships.
Wow what a powerful and compassionate woman! And although the abuse she suffered, physical, mental and emotional, she continued to sing her music with all her heart.
With her finding Buddhism she felt the strength to leave this all behind and start on her own, with nothing but her name “Tina Turner”. And she worked so hard!
With her comeback she is even more successful than before. She brings for sure a strong message to all. Find the strength in yourself. Follow your spirituality and follow your heart. You can change!
Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring movie.
Watching Tina Turner movie again make me think more about in real life, how many people can like Tina develop inner strange by doing Buddhist chanting, over come all the suffering and sadness.
Tina Turner become power lady not just in her performance as the singer. She became strong because her fearlessness to facing whatever challenge at the middle age by her broken marriage start her career over again. Her determination is never too late to accomplish anything! As long as we put our heart and faith to it.
Through Buddhism has open up Tina heart and became part of her ever since. Helping her getting through hard times and happy time. That’s what Buddhism is all about, acceptance and letting go… and never hurt.
I like to watch movie time to time to give me more encourage to develop inner strange over come my weakness and develop positive energy to facing all the challenge at the future. one again, Thank for Rinpoche always sharing wonderful and inspiring story in his blog.
The story of Tina Turner is beautiful. I saw a woman go through the pains of life as an abandoned child, a striving artist, a secularly successful celebrity and a liberated soul. Life for Ms. Turner was no bed of roses and, to me, her greatest suffering was when she was rich and famous.
We dedicate so much of our resources to gain material wealth and, more often than not, we hear of stories telling us that the rich and powerful are actually suffering quite a lot. In fact, their suffering is deeper and greater than those who struggle to have 3 meals a day and a roof over their head because their suffering contradicts everything they were conditioned to believe in. We were taught from young that money, beauty, power and fame will bring us happiness: We see pictures of beautiful women in the magazine smiling brilliantly, we see wealthy looking men pose with confidence in advertisements, we see happy family images on TV.
So we must become contented once we have these things. Unfortunately, after an ardent journey to accomplish all these things, we are more miserable than ever because, besides the fact that we are still unhappy, no one believes that we are miserable because we are rich, beautiful and powerful.
Tina Turner’s courage to start all over again at 44 years old is extremely inspiring. To become “nothing” after garnering success is not easy. It challenges our ego a lot but it is also the greatest opportunity to discover our ability to always rise if we choose to and are ready to dedicate effort to do so.
Tina Turner has used her Dharma journey to benefit others as her practice has produced tangible results. Reading real life stories like this inspires and reinforces my trust and belief in Lord Buddha’s teachings.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this powerful story of Tina Turner. She suffered a lot in her marriage with this guy just using her as a cash cow. She was stuck because she love her family very much. When she seek for her mother’s help, her mother betrayed her. She was abused by her husband constantly and she was so lost and she suffered a lot physically and mentally. She swallowed all her bitterness and pain, hoping things will change. She’s blessed to have a friend who care for her so much and saving her life by giving her Dharma. The power of prayers and mantra is just unbelievable. She turned into another person who’s strong and having faith in Buddha. She just like Vajra Yogini. She conquered her fear and knew that there’s no turning back but get out from her husband control.
It’s very important to have Dharma in our life. When we have faith, our mind will get stronger and fight to win back our life.
I love how she gently yet firmly stopped Larry from making fun of her belief – Buddhism, which has led her to a brand new life after so much tragedy happened in her life that could have destroyed her. By chanting her Sadhana openly in the show also shows her persistency and faith in Buddhism that helps her in pursuing inner peace. She knows her stuff well. She does not blindly follow what was taught to her, she is able to explain the benefit of chanting mantras and she is the practitioner. Beautiful voice she has.
Only with such great successful people who has gone thru a lot, they will not be shy to express their true self publicly, because there are nothing to hide. It’s with these qualities, they are where they are.
[…] Tina Turner the powerful Buddhist […]
Tina Turner is a dynamic lady. She has gone through difficult times, abused by her husband to the extend she had to have reconstructive surgery to her nose yet it did not deter her from being a successful celebrity. Her faith as a Buddhist has made her overcome the difficulties in her life and led her to gain back self confidence, becoming a stronger and more powerful person. I am glad she found spirituality in her life during her dullest moments.
She is such an inspiring person! All that she had to go through was really scary and sad. I cannot imagine myself going through what she went through. Buddhism have really help and benefitted many including me. And to see Tina Turner changed into such a better person and inspiring many just make me feel what I have done is so minimum. May she continue to inspire many more!
How can I join the Organization of Nam-Myoho-Renge BUddha please let me know thank you my cell number where i may be reached at is 1-213-807-4295 i’m a R&B POP SINGER FROM DETROIT MICH, I’m so interested in Buddha chanting hope to hear from you.
Tina Turner certe is a great singer and she has a strength incoyable but it has long been a follower of an organization that has the Buddhist name. Soka Gakkai International-La is not it is a Buddhist sect whose goal is to create individual soldiers. A mafia organization, which until 1975 was not divorced from his political party Komeito (a party rather located at the far right). The party still exists and is still under the domination of the thought of the sect Soka Gakkai, but to avoid offending foreign followers is now separated from the pseudo-Buddhist organization. Tina Turner is separated from the radical group and kept only the monk Nichiren chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This chant or mantra is used by the followers of Nichiren schools in several current or as Nichiren-shu (which is a progressive and tolerant towards other streams of Buddhism that is not the case of the Soka Gakkai, which sees itself as the only true orthodox Buddhism). I said all this because I myself am a former
Tina Turner certe is a great singer and she has a strength incoyable but it has long been a follower of an organization that has the Buddhist name. Soka Gakkai International-La is not it is a Buddhist sect whose goal is to create individual soldiers. A mafia organization, which until 1975 was not divorced from his political party Komeito (a party rather located at the far right). The party still exists and is still under the domination of the thought of the sect Soka Gakkai, but to avoid offending foreign followers is now separated from the pseudo-Buddhist organization. Tina Turner is separated from the radical group and kept only the monk Nichiren chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. This chant or mantra is used by the followers of Nichiren schools in several current or as Nichiren-shu (which is a progressive and tolerant towards other streams of Buddhism that is not the case of the Soka Gakkai, which sees itself as the only true orthodox Buddhism). I said all this because I myself am a former adept.
Amazing. I’ve watched this video before quite some time ago and now watching it again is still amazing.
Such beautiful and powerful voice of a talented woman, chanting a beautiful mantra… she truly is an inspiration to all who is having a difficult time in their life but gained strength to carry on with life positively (and succeed!) through practicing the wisdom and compassion as preached by Buddha.
I like how she openly stopped Larry King from ‘making fun’ of her belief. She did it in such a gentle but affirmative way. Just by this action, it shows us how devoted she is to her Dharma practice and at the same time she practices what was preached. I think that is the most beautiful part of the interview although her chanting is also equally nice. There are not many Buddhists that I know whom would stand up for their own belief and allow others to put them down. I do not think they are bad, but it shows that they do not have enough knowledge about their own spirituality that they have no way to protect their belief. Sad indeed…
Her story is truly an inspiring one especially for us woman because it gives us strength to realise that we can stand on own own 2 feet no matter what. It is wonderful that she discovered Buddhism that helped her find her strength to leave her abusive husband and rise above it all to who she is today. Now she uses her celebrity status to indirectly promote Buddhism and what’s amazing is that in one of the interview with Larry King, when he made fun of her and Buddhism she shut him off by telling him not to joke about her religion. She was proud of who she is and what she is and her faith, and what’s amazing is she is so humbly dignified by it all. Another inspiring thing is that ever since she started chanting… right up till this day she continues to chant and has never broken her sadhana for one day…wow! Of course I also love her amazing beautiful altar of the huge Buddha..who says you can’t have a huge Buddha in your home?!
beautiful, powerful, extraordinary!
Tina Turner’s life story shows that despite all the hardship, we can still find calm in spirituality.
I am not a big fan of Tina but I agree that she has great voice. What I feel special about her is that Tina went through hardships and yet she did not give up but to rise up again, and she does so through her reliance on spirituality.
I love her private shrine in the picture. So simple and yet it exudes powerful serenity.
Life is never smooth sailing. I wish that many can persevere (including myself) till we see light at the end of the tunnel.
I do not have tolerance for abuse, physical or mental or any sort. It’s amazing what Tina Turner went thru for the sake of her passion in music. Despite the situation she was in, she pressed on and gave her all. Her strength is incredible. I’m so happy to know she found a way to bring peace to her mind. May may people who have found themselves in similar situation find healing and peace.
This is a nice article, thank you for the videos posted here.
The “Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu” is a Vedic chant which means something like “may there be auspiciousness for all, may there be peace for all, may there be happiness for all, may there be no suffering for all”.
Tina Turner’s rendition of this chant is indeed excellent and beautiful. Another very beautiful rendition of this chant is sung by the well loved Uma Mohan. You may listen to Uma Mohan’s rendition here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BwxnFd1oGc
I adore Tina, she an inspiration to many with her words and her strength for going threw what she had and coming out on top. I was in the same situation and I didn’t do as good as her, I pretty much folded and hide myself away. But I did find SGI and have been a member for a little over a year now and I have to say it does help with finding your inner self and understanding that it’s up to you to make things happen and not sit on the side lines expecting them to be handed to you. I wish you all the best Ms. Tina and I will chant that one day we will have the opportunity to meet. (of course that one might not happen but I can still try right?) many blessings to you. Take care and be safe.
Thank your for your very nice article about Tina Turner. I am one of the webmaster of tinaturnerblog.com and did you hear about Tina’s last chanting album ‘Children Beyond?
Here is a clip for the mantra ‘Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu’, really gives goosebumps and a clear idea of how stong the belief of Miss Turner is deep.
More info about the album on my blog: http://tinaturnerblog.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XP-f7wPM0A
All transience is conditioned, be mindful and act diligently. The purpose of life is in creating value- buddha. My teaching is to come and believe but to practice. Chant sincerely and practice earnestly to manifest your buddha nature as your life condition. Mediation to achieve Nathayut. You must not be afraid of your shadow, for light is always nearby. Look around and you will see lust, ignorance, gain, greed and desire. Although these are sins, they exist to teach us, we need to know them. Be mindful in learning to know them. The body is the slave, the mind the controller. train the consciousness to gain the light of wisdom. If an insane knew not to jump off from a high cliff, why not a sane person? Your refuge to the three treasures. every morning you rise with the buddha, and every evening you rest with the buddha. With appreciation you rise to create value and gratitude you rest to recharge to create greater value.
Practice the Lotus Sutra is all you need. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. “Follows the Law and not me” – Nivana Sutra
She chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and practice with Soka Gakkai International.
a beautiful and strong lady!!
Looking at Tina Turner in the interviews she exudes a strength and control over her life. Just feels like the practises she had done empowered her to take control over her life. And that she had found truths above life through chanting of a particular mantra. Rinpoche explained that mantras were buddha’s speech perfected over 3 great aeons so these definitely has a lot of effect on the body, speech and mind. Happy to see a Buddhist successful in both worldly and spiritual aspects!
The Buddha mantra has it’s power. It calmed her mind and really made her think and conquer her fear. I’m sure many of us in kechara have this kind of experience by reciting mantra, especially our Lord protector mantra. If not our Monday and Tuesday Setrap puja in Kechara House won’t be packed with people.
I was looking for some spiritual song when I was in hong kong months ago and the shop manager introduced me Tina’s album “Beyond”. I was like, uh??? Tina Turner sing spiritual song??? Must be very interesting. I bought it and the moment I played it, I just can’t stop listening to it.
I heard about Tina Turner when i was very young, knew that she’s a rock star who has a very power voice and she wears very short dress. Never knew about the other side of her life which was so sad.
People always fear to change. Because of this fear of changing we choose to be silent, we choose to let others taking advantage on us, we even choose to give up ourselves. So much time wasted by taking all the pain.
Life is short. No one take charge of our lives but we do. The world is endless out there. Rely on the the powerful 3 jewels and believe in ourselves, we can go beyond just like Tina Turner.
Dear Rinpoche,
thank you for posting this videos! i was in awe when i hear she chants!! she’s truly gifted and an amazing person.
i have one simple question. what does “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” means?
~Shereen
Thank you Rinpoche.
I love this post on Tina Turner. Her story truly is inspiring.
Her story is surely a powerful illustration of how the ‘lotus of compassion’ lifts one out of the ‘mud of suffering’. She did not allow all the abuse she had suffered to drag her down. But with compassion, she was able to let go and to open up to life lived with Dharma as her road map. Thus the Dharma gave her strength to just accept all the experiences of life past as having been karmically created and she moved on to embrace her future, shaping it, creating the causes for a definitely happier and more successful future.
Kudos to a lovely lady, a celebrity, with so much courage. With her project and her life as a showcase, she is definitely an ambassador and spokeswoman for the Dharma.
just a little ps. although of course, I would never wish anyone, to be in the position she was in. I do love the music she made with Ike, although it was a very difficult part of her life.
I really do love Tina Turner
It’s lovely to hear her speak about her spiritual beliefs, and how it helped her through difficult times. .
she does radiate somthing, which can’t quite put my finger on, earthy presence & stability perhaps.
thankyou for sharing all of this with us, Rinpoche
Dear Rinpoche,
Thanks for sharing the videos and Tina Turner. Rinpoche has shared some thoughts about her a few months ago on the blog, at the yellow box. That time I started to search more info about her, watched some of her videos on youtube.
I am very touched by her life journey that she overcame so many ups and downs and still remain shining like a star. I like her saying about mantra chanting, something like “I need my refrigerator, my clothes, my shelter, and chanting takes care my spiritual side, the sub-conscious mind…”
I was doing the music album project of KIM that time, and I was inspired by her so much, that I am doing something to help people, it can take care the spiritual side of people, even if it’s not helping that way, at least to leave more imprint for people to learn Dharma, so no matters how things go, I have to give my best shot to make it happen.
I know what I did might not be meet what people’s expectation, and it’s not as good as it could be, but I don’t let this thought drag me down and stop doing it. Even if it benefits only a few people, I will give everything to do it. Tina has given me the power to keep going beside Rinpoche. _/\_
Wow! I love Tina Turner. I don’t particularly appreciate her music but I do appreciate the struggles that she went through with her abusive ex-husband and how she found strength in spirituality – Buddhism that led her to divorce her husband and put an end to years of abuse.
I love strong woman!
I am no feminist but I do find there is something powerful when women stands up to bad and abusive men. There’s a satisfying victory to Tina Turner’s story at the end which is also very empowering. I cried tears of joy and I think this another aspect of Buddhism that is not often revealed directly in the teachings. That is the empowering aspect of compassion that lead us to become stronger, bolder and kinder for others, which is the very essence of Vajrayogini.
More importantly, it leads us to overcome our laziness and self-imposed limitations. That is what Tina did as she overcame her dependence on her ex-husband and stood up against all his abuse and became the powerful, yet kind woman that she is today. What a superstar!
You should watch “What’s love Got to Do With It”. After watching it, you will know how incredible Tina Turner is.
She is loyal, has integrity, do what she has promised. She had a hard time but she does not stop there or said this is her life but do nothing about it.
Also her Dharma imprint is very strong, Dharma came to her when she was very down, she did not question it but try and she felt the different, a good different.
Many people felt Buddhism only for loser, or only for Rich people who has time to do so. Tina Turner is a very good example of how you can combine spirituality and career together and much better than people who only focus on worldy achivement.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you so much for sharing this posting of Tina Turner. I’ve never seen this side of Ms. Turner, the spiritual side. I like her directness in how she expresses the importance of prayers and spirituality in her life from being a Christian to a Buddhist.
I can imagine how easily distracted one can be as an international superstar. Thank goodness for her daily practice, Ms. Turner looks grounded, humble and in touch with her compassionate nature. She even shared that Buddhism changed her life. And now, she wants to share a method of achieving happiness with others that worked for her.
It’s rare that we come across people her age who went through so much suffering and arise with so much love to give.
I would love to produce her concert in Malaysia so that she can be one of Kechara’s spokesperson to promote World Peace!
Regards,
JP
I find her extremely amazing, she is one of a VERY FEW celebraties I’ve come across who does not have scandals, drugs, alcohol, depression, and etc reported on the tabloids and newspaper. Very rare.
She is a very strong woman who did not allow her painful past to get into her way of her career and spirituality. Very inspiring. It puts many of us to shame that we are so used to using our pain as an excuse not to grow or even move on.
Everyone should take her biography as a teaching.
Amazing amazing lady!
The first time I watched the movie, I was shocked that a superstar like her went through so much. And all we know behind that chart climbing beautiful album cover was a string of abuse, sorrows and lost of hopes. She was a simple lady who wanted love all of her life. And yet, tragedy followed her. But she never fought back the husband, betrayed her mother, or got carried away with fame and money.
Until she met Buddhism, she regained self confidence, became stronger at the age of 43!!! She bounced back with such power, so clear of what she wanted to do and she was so sure about it!
She never looked back and talked about her bitterness… in fact she used that energy turned into power to stand up, to sing, to chant for the world and she succeeded! She showed a great example that with determination, it is never too late to accomplish anything! As long as we put our heart and faith to it.
It is wonderful to know that Buddhism has touched her heart and became part of her ever since. Helping her getting through hard times and happy time. That’s what Buddhism is all about, acceptance and letting go… and never hurt.
Now she is a wonderful grandmother, a successful performer, a wonderful mother, a dharma teacher, an inspiring female icon… and she never stops. She will continue to inspire many and touches many. A wonderful person really.
Tina Turner is a really strong lady. Can you imagine yourself being abused/tortured but still end up so successful? Many of us would just give up our lives entirely in her situation.
At the age of 43, Tina had to start all over again after leaving her husband and all luxuries. BUT that did not stop her. She rose up to be one of the most successful person in our lifetime.
What I have learnt the most is…we should have SPIRITUALITY in our lives! In Tina’s case, she took the Buddhism way and is proud of it. Having the dharma allowed her to be a stronger and more stable person!
What I also learned through Tina Turner is whatever that is HARD or EASY is only our PERCEPTIONS. Coupled with Rinpoche’s teaching..How we perceive what is more important to us is how much we value it. If we value the Dharma highly then we will work hard for it.
I’ve definitely learned a lot today. Thank you for the valuable teachings Rinpoche!
I am completely in awe at (i) how versatile TT is; (ii) How seamlessly she lives a life of “Rock & Roll” and yet maintains her focus and grounded-ness through her practice of Buddhism – clearly the chanting is an essential part of her day; (iii) how profoundly wise she is, in saying that from her practice she begins to experience change, be happy and how the thoughts would come to her, about what she needed to do to change her life and indeed how she understands and accepts “change”; (iv) how unhesitating she was to state that her motivation is simply because the practice WORKS; (v) how she would like to share the practice so others can experience this happiness.
TT is a great ambassador of Dharma and she brings the message that: DHARMA ROCKS!!!