Buddhist Celebrities: October 2008

Name : Meng Ting Wei
Nationality : Taiwan
Date Of Birth : December 22, 1969
Profession : Singer

She is a devout Buddhist who has been a vegetarian for 8 years and in 2001 released a Buddhist theme album. In January last year, she delivered her son on the lunar new year whom was supposed to be born on the 8th day of the lunar new year. Meng told her husband who was an atheist that she hoped their child would be born on the 1st day of the lunar new year. He husband "challenged" that if her wish came through he would also become a buddhist but on the eve of the new year, she felt that she was going to give birth and was rushed to the hospital and on the new year, true to her wish, her son was born. She believes her son has Buddha's light because he was born on the 1st day of lunar new year , the birthday of Maitreya, one of Buddhist boddhisatvas.

Name : Max Mok Siu Chung
Country : Hong Kong
Date Of Birth : 2nd December 1960
Profession : Actor

Mok Siu Chung was a popular actor back in the 80s and 90s. Back then he appeared in a few TV dramas but his focus was on movies. He was known for his big eyes and flawless skin which was said to be better than many actresses.

He is a devout follower of Tibetan Buddhism. He says that he is a low-key person. He will head straight to his home after shooting and seldom socialise with his friends outside his home. In the past he says he prays to the Buddha for the well-being of himself but after learning more about Buddhism, he has become more selfless. Now he no longer prays for himself alone but for the well being of his family and everyone around him.

In 2005, after almost a year of preparation, he ventured to the Qinghai plateau in Tibet to film a documentary of holy places of Buddhism there. Though he faced various problem while shooting the documentary, including falling sick due to altitude illness but he was happy and content to be there.