David Bowie's Lifelong Fascination with Buddhism Shows in the Way He Wants His Ashes Scattered

When the English rock star was alive, David Bowie experimented with religions, particularly Christianity and Buddhism. Now, after the rock star's death, his will has been disclosed. The "Lazarus" singer, in his 20-page will filed under his real name David Robert Jones, wants to be cremated in Bali. And if it was "not practical" then he wanted his remains cremated and his ashes scattered there still. Apparently, he wanted his ashes scattered in Bali "in accordance with the Buddhist rituals," However, according to the death certificate, filed with the will, his body was cremated Jan. 12 in New Jersey.
During his teen years, Bowie was particularly fascinated with Buddhism. The year was 1967. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, who had fled Tibet and would eventually move to North America, was at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. David Bowie started visiting Samye Ling at the inspiration of his friend and collaborator, Tony Visconti (who even worked on Bowie's brilliant swansong, the just-released Blackstar), as well as that of Bowie's girlfriend at the time, Hermione Farthingale.
Bowie even contemplated being a monk. "I was within a month of having my head shaved, taking my vows, and becoming a monk," Bowie has said about that period of his life. But, he was torn and so sought the counsel of a Buddhist teacher, usually assumed to be Trungpa - though that's now been refuted. The teacher replied to the famous young seeker that he should remain a musician, for that was how he could be of the most benefit.
After a few months' study at Tibet House in London, he was told by a Lama, "You don't want to be Buddhist. ... You should follow music."
Meanwhile, according to Bowie's will, he has left his $100 million estate to his children and his widow Iman. Bowie left his SoHo home he shared with Iman to her, and half of the rest of his worth. His son Duncan Jones from a previous marriage received 25 percent and his daughter Alexandria also received 25 percent as well as his Ulster County mountain home. Bowie left $2 million to his longtime personal assistant Corinne Schwab and left her shares he owned in a company called Oppossum Inc. He left $1 million to Marion Skene, Alexandria's nanny.
Tags : David Bowie david bowie will david bowie death buddhism david bowie faith david bowie news david bowie latest
Hot Trends
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Praise Report: Forrest Frank’s Broken Back Healed Through Prayer and Faith
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Here Are Lyrics to Chris Tomlin's "The First Hymn (feat. Ben Fielding)"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "The Church"
-
Doyle Lawson Premieres New Song "We'll Never Walk Alone"
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Forrest Frank Turns Pain into Praise with New Single “Lemons Into Lemonade”
-
Michael W. Smith Celebrates His 40th Wedding Anniversary
-
American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Inks $13.5M Netflix Deal Following Chart-Topping Gospel Hit
-
Lecrae Speaks About How His New Song Deals with Opposition
-
Author and Adventurer JT Mestdagh Shares Inspiring Journey in New Edition of "No Bad Days"
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
Most Popular
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Praise Report: Forrest Frank’s Broken Back Healed Through Prayer and Faith
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Here Are Lyrics to Chris Tomlin's "The First Hymn (feat. Ben Fielding)"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "The Church"
-
Doyle Lawson Premieres New Song "We'll Never Walk Alone"
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Forrest Frank Turns Pain into Praise with New Single “Lemons Into Lemonade”
-
Michael W. Smith Celebrates His 40th Wedding Anniversary
-
American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Inks $13.5M Netflix Deal Following Chart-Topping Gospel Hit
-
Lecrae Speaks About How His New Song Deals with Opposition
-
Author and Adventurer JT Mestdagh Shares Inspiring Journey in New Edition of "No Bad Days"
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup