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Tiger Woods' apology brings new
attention to Buddhism
By Dan Gilgoff, CNN
February 20, 2010 -- Updated 0325 GMT (1125 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Woods: "People probably don't
realize it, but I w as raised a
Buddhist"
Golf great, addressing
controversy on Friday, says he
had "drifted" from his faith
"Woods w as quite accurate" in
his summation of Buddhism, one
scholar says
After affairs made new s, Fox's
Brit Hume publicly urged Woods
to embrace Christianity
edition.cnn.com/2010/…/index.html?h…
Tiger Woods' apology brings new atte…
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Medalist leaves Olympics after racy pics hit Web
(CNN) -- When Tiger Woods invoked his religious faith during his Lufthansa pilots begin four-day strike
public apology on Friday, he readily acknowledged that a lot of
Olympic spirit fails a test
people would be surprised.
Real Madrid hit Villarreal for six; Ronaldo's
"People probably don't realize it," he said, "but I was raised a Madeira tribute
Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I
drifted away from it in recent years." Bode Miller wins first Olympic gold medal
But Woods said his Buddhist faith would be a key part of his quest
to put his life back together after revelations of his marital infidelity,
which he admitted for the first time. Buddhist experts said Woods'
summation of the tradition's beliefs was accurate -- and that his
remarks likely will bring more attention to the faith in a week when its
highest profile leader, the Dalai Lama, is visiting the United States.
"I have a lot of work to do, and I intend to dedicate myself to doing
it," Woods said, reading a statement from Ponte Vedra Beach,
Florida. "Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my
mother taught me at a young age."
"Buddhism teaches that a creation of things outside ourselves
causes an unhappy and pointless search for security," he
continued. "It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to
learn restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught."
A handful of Buddhist scholars said Woods' description of Buddhist
teaching was spot on. "Woods was quite accurate," said Janet
Gyatso, a professor of Buddhist studies at Harvard University.
"Craving causes unhappiness. That's a fundamental Buddhist idea."
A 1996 Sports Illustrated profile suggested that Woods -- then in his
early 20s -- took his faith seriously. He visited a Buddhist temple with
his mother each year around his birthday, slept near a mother-of-
pearl Buddha from his Thai grandfather, and wore a gold Buddha
around his neck, according to the profile. Woods' mother, Kultilda, is
a Thai-born Buddhist.
"I like Buddhism because it's a whole way of being and living," Tiger
Woods told Sports Illustrated. "It's based on discipline and respect
1/5
22/2/2553 Tiger Woods' apology brings new atte…
and personal responsibility. I like Asian culture better than ours
because of that."

When allegations of Woods' infidelity began emerging after a

November 27 car accident, Fox News Channel host Brit Hume stirred
controversy by publicly advising the golf pro to become a Christian.

"He's said to be a Buddhist -- I don't think that faith offers

the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by
the Christian faith," Hume said. "So my message to Tiger
would be: Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can
make a total recovery and be a great example to the
world."

But Buddhist scholars say that forgiveness and

redemption are core components of the faith. "You're
always beginning again in the Buddhist tradition," said John
RELATED TOPICS Kornfield, a prominent Buddhist teacher based in California. "You
Tiger Woods see that you're causing harm, you repent and ask forgiveness in
Buddhism some formal or informal way, and you start again."
Dalai Lam a

Some Buddhism experts said that's what Woods appeared to be

trying to do today. Many Buddhists applauded Woods' statement.
"The fact that people could see this kind of behavior causes
suffering is an incredibly important message for all kinds of people
who respect Woods," said Kornfield.

Buddhism was in the spotlight this week before Woods' remarks,

with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama -- a Buddhist --
meeting with President Obama in Washington on Thursday.

Buddhism is among the world's largest religions, with about 350

million adherents, including about 1.2 million in the United States,
according to a 2009 report by Trinity College. The faith began in
India about 2,500 years ago.

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Guest
Guest

No offense but Hume just gave a bad explanation. Nobody should tell a person to switch religion just because it
provides "forgiveness." Every religion is great in their own ways.

6 hours ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

edition.cnn.com/2010/…/index.html?h… 2/5
22/2/2553 Tiger Woods' apology brings new atte…

rustamkandel
rustamkandel

Being the greatest news channel of the world, you don't know anything. Research again on the last sentence of
this post.

9 hours ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

KLUJICS
KLUJICS

You can Visit Budda's grave - Budda is there......

Jesus' tomb is empty!!!

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Leeoo
Leeoo

His faith is money and blond chicks...

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

sabacca
sabacca

I didn't know that Tiger had a leaning towards any spiritual path. Well, I guess it didn't work too well.

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Guest
Guest

As a Buddhist I understand how deeply he repented for his wrongdoings. Someone tried to boast his
Christianity to be superior to other teachings including Buddhism, and only Jesus can save him. I would like to
tell you people that Buddha's compassion is limitless and is bestowed to every and any bei ...more

1 day ago | Like (2) | Report abuse

luvz
luvz

Was it staged by the same marketing team who worked for for G. W.Bush?
Funny whole set up reminded me of him and his strategy especialy when Tiger mentioned Buddhism. A little
old and over used tactics.

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

cornea503
cornea503

Tiger Woods favorite Booty-ist teachings go something like: "I like big butts and I can not lie ...................Shake
that healthy butt! Baby got back!"

1 day ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

phneutral
phneutral

Not a lot of sympathy here for Tiger, after he oinked all those hoogees. On the farm if a barn cat kills a chicken,
you have to put the cat down. Once the cat tastes chicken and finds how easy it is to kill them, it can't stop. Sorry
PETA, but ask any farmer. I think his poor wife will come to fin ...more

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

UNDONAFTA
UNDONAFTA

HE THOUGHT THE RELIGION WAS BOOTIEISM.

1 day ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

edition.cnn.com/2010/…/index.html?h… 3/5
22/2/2553 Tiger Woods' apology brings new atte…

MikeHott
MikeHott

Britt Ex-Hume is such a cockroach!!!

1 day ago | Like (5) | Report abuse

Thaismiles
Thaismiles

Fire proves gold, troubles proves a real Buddhist. Amen.

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Guest
Guest

To Allred your client needs a good lawyer but not for getting an Apology from Tiger--- but because she is
WANTED by the State of Washington for back Child Support -- which is over $13,000.

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Mirai1203
Mirai1203

I can’t punish him, because everyone makes mistake.A Buddhist teacher said “I cannot condemn others
though their sins be red as wine, for their offenses pale next to those of mine.”This is how Buddhists see
others and this is why they are compassionate. And he is the one who has to reap what he saw ...more

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

cornea503
cornea503

I believe Tiger Woods favorite Booty-ist teachings go something like: "I like big butts and I can not lie
.......Shake that healthy butt! Baby got back!"

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

mattbert
mattbert

I don't want an apology from Tiger Woods for cheating on his wife. I want an apology from Dick Cheney and
George Bush for sanctioning the use of torture, trashing the economy, violating the Constitution, and starting a
pointless war that has killed thousands of Americans and Iraqis.

1 day ago | Like (10) | Report abuse

MikeHott
MikeHott

Don't hold your breath!!!

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

Guest
Guest

Let me ask: Why is this such a big deal? I'm not saying cheating is good, but why should I care what SOMEONE
ELSE does in his own life? Is mine not good enough or something?

1 day ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

jony3322
jony3322

Obviously, a lot of people do not see one thing that is every one has both good and bad aspests inside of us.
The people, environment, culture, society etc. around us just like the sun, weather, water, fertilizer etc... when all
of those comes together a bad or good seed inside of us will grow and b ...more

1 day ago | Like (2) | Report abuse

edition.cnn.com/2010/…/index.html?h… 4/5
22/2/2553 Tiger Woods' apology brings new atte…

cornea503
cornea503

It is obvious Tiger worships the all mighty Booty.

1 day ago | Like (5) | Report abuse

Guest
Guest

Sumpthin' wrong with that?

1 day ago | Like (3) | Report abuse

Guest
Guest

I can't wait until the PGA comes crawling back to Tiger because no one wants to watch the clowns that couldn't
carry Tiger's golf bag to the practice range. I hate golf but I would watch when Tiger was playing to see a real pro
play that silly game!

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

CertifiedBad
CertifiedBad

Drifted right into "Booty-ism"

1 day ago | Like (9) | Report abuse

willie661
willie661

People are taught from the beginning that if they are good it is because of religion. Rather than teach people
that they are good on their own religion becomes almost a scapegoat. Oh, "I wasn't following my religious
beliefs" rather than, rather than saying I am showing my true colors. This guy j ...more

1 day ago | Like (2) | Report abuse

MikeHott
MikeHott

Tiger's names: Tiger Woulds and Tiger Dids... And Tiger Will-Do-It-Agains

1 day ago | Like (1) | Report abuse

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