A talk on the Wild side… with Hollywood actress & SGI Buddhist Cathryn de Prume
I recently spoke to Hollywood actress and SGI member Cathryn de Prume about her Buddhist practice and her career. She generously made time to do a Skype interview in between red carpet appearances promoting the launch of her new Oscar-nominated film Wild, where she appears opposite Reese Witherspoon. An SGI district leader in Los Angeles, Cathryn has been chanting for 30 years. She had her first big professional break in a role with Jodie Foster in Five Corners in 1987. But perhaps the biggest achievement of her life is introducing more than 100 people to Buddhism, including her Mum, Dad and two brothers! My thanks to all the readers who suggested questions for this interview and to Cathryn for her warm, wise and uplifting words.
Were you always religious?
CdeP: I was spiritual from a very young age, I would go to church on my own aged 7. And as a teenager I became a born-again Christian. After that I explored meditation. Then I was taught how to chant by a waiter in a restaurant where I worked. At first I found some of the Buddhists a bit weird 🙂 and I had a very strict leader in the early days of my practice, but I soon realised that SGI is an inspirational movement that provides an amazing support system.
Why do you think that so many artists and actors are attracted to Nichiren Buddhism?
CdeP: Well it’s a roller coaster life! It’s hard earning a living as an artist, because it can be feast or famine. So I find that the practice brings an inner stability to handle the ‘eight winds’ identified by Nichiren (prosperity, disgrace, honour, praise, pleasure, censure, sufferings and decline). As he said, a truly wise person ‘is neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline’. I think the other reason is that artists tend to have a very strong seeking spirit. We want to go deeper into life and find the answers.
What do you feel is the dominant life state of people in Hollywood?
CdeP: I hate to say it but, animality. We can tend to have so much fear, even the most successful actors, because the profession is so unpredictable. And then it can easily be all about ego, about being concerned with what people think of you. But with the real movers and shakers who I’ve met, such as heads of studios, acclaimed directors, many ‘A list’ actors; do you know what I’ve noticed? They are kind. They are warm, they have courage and compassion. They have a high life condition and that’s why they do well in Hollywood. Thanks to my Buddhist practice, I can develop myself. It’s a daily practice, like brushing your teeth, and I do it every day because otherwise the plaque comes back! Chanting creates a higher life condition. And when you have a high life condition, you make better causes for your own and others’ happiness.
Were you like that before you started to practise Buddhism?
CdeP: No. When I started out, acting was my obsession. It was all I chanted for. It kind of worked. Early in my practice I was hired on a low budget movie which meant I couldn’t participate in a major SGI activity at the time. After chanting about it, this wisdom came up in me to pull out of the film. I gave my all to the activity instead, which included encouraging many other young women. The next day I was offered the part in Five Corners, the movie that launched my career. The movie I had turned down never even got finished. I have learned now to trust and make these leaps of faith based on my chanting and as a result have created one miracle after another.
How do you handle rejection when auditions don’t work out?
CdeP: I try not to focus on it. It helps when I remember that Buddhism is a practice for self and others. To me the key difference between Nichiren Buddhism and popular self-help practices, (such as the Law of Attraction) is that they’re focused solely on oneself. When I’m not busy doing the work I wish I was, I’ll go and chant with someone in their home (a strong tradition in SGI). By supporting someone else, I grow my own life. This organisation and this practice give me the opportunity to support other people, therefore cultivating my compassion, giving me a broader perspective that includes my family, community, society, the world.
How do you deal with the pressure to look perfect in your industry?
CdeP: Actually I think that’s a bit of a myth. There isn’t that pressure to look perfect. There are loads of actors who don’t look perfect, we come in all shapes and sizes. And neither Reese nor I wear make-up in Wild. You gotta love your wrinkles if you want to represent humanity! All kidding aside, sure there are the lead roles that tend to go to young beautiful women but I’m interested in playing all kinds of women. I don’t have to be the lead.
Does Wild have a message and if so, what is it?
CdeP: From a Buddhist perspective? To honour and appreciate all aspects of your life. And to understand that there is Buddhahood in everyone, no matter what your past.
What advice would you give to your 20 year-old self?
CdeP: “You’re OK. It’s all going to be OK. And it’s OK to fail.” Because in those days I was putting so much pressure on myself.
What is your favourite gosho quote?
CdeP: “A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles.” SGI is that horse and we can travel so much farther than we could on our own. We can create peace right where we are with people we would not normally connect with by getting involved in a district, (a group of 15 – 25 people who practise together). The SGI organisation is set up brilliantly. It gives a person the opportunity to raise their life condition by chanting and supporting others. When one person becomes happy they influence those around them. Eventually our hope is that this will create world peace.
Which Buddhist teaching do you find most challenging to believe?
CdeP: That I am a Buddha. That I have all the power within me.
And if you could teach anyone in the world to chant, who would it be?
CdeP: It would be a teenage girl on the verge of making a big decision, someone at a fork in the road. Because teenagers and youth are our hope. They’re the future. They can change the world. But they can also destroy themselves. There’s nothing more exciting than introducing someone to the practice and watching their life change.
If you like this interview, you can read more from Cathryn in my book, The Buddha in Me, the Buddha in You, available now for pre-order from Amazon UK (publication date: Feb 2016)
Thanks for this interview. It is very encouraging. I shared it with my district.
Voila! I absolutely loved this blog post!!!! 🙂 Thanks you David and a big thanks to you Cathryn. Honestly, I haven’t watched a single movie of yours but what I liked the most is how “humanely” you have revealed yourself in this interview…shedding all those inhibitions about how an actress would be perceived by masses, if she reveals her spiritual side and the fact that deep within, she is just like us “commoners”. Hats off! I am also excitedly to note that you (Cathryn) are a District Leader in LA. Last year, I happened to visit LA. I was putting up in South Pasadena and can’t tell you how warmly the SGI members over there welcomed me (a member from Bharat Soka Gakkai, the Indian affiliate of SGI). Coming back to the post, I congratulate you David for coming up with such lovely and relevant questions. I found the last two questions most interesting. Indeed, it is not an easy task, by any chance, to believe in and remember at crucial times that “I have the power, within to change this situation”. Also, youth and children these are our future, our hope and our channels through which we SGI members can carry on and manifest the noble sentiment of world peace, starting from right where we are, being who we are without any pretensions, and addressing to the person right across us in the most respectful manner :-). Good work, keep it up!
Thank you Nichimyo for your very kind comments and it’s great to know that you enjoyed this interview :-). Cathryn’s humanity absolutely shone through when we spoke, so I am delighted that this came through in the post. Warm wishes, David
Excellent interview.
Thanks for sharing.
Lovely interview
I have been practicing since 2007. I feel like I have so much to learn. I still tend to focus on me. This is a practice for oneself and others. I’m still figuring out my mission and praying for the courage to carry it out. This was a wonderful article. It drove me to ask myself some important questions. Thanks David and Cathryn.
Hi Jackie, really pleased you liked the article 🙂 Cathryn is a wise, warm and wonderful lady to speak with. The ‘self and others’ concept is an interesting one. Personally, I don’t like the terminology because the two words ‘self’ and ‘others’ separate us from each other. I prefer to think of NMRK as Life itself, this One Life that flows through me and you and the people we love, the people we struggle with, strangers, everyone. When I changed my prayer in this way, it made a big difference and I realised in my heart that daimoku is a ‘we prayer’ not just a ‘me prayer’. all best wishes, David
I am so happy that this interview is encouraging people. David is doing great work inspiring many with this blog. Just to give you an update, I’m challenging myself right now to chant 2 hours a day. Not easy, especially being a mom. But every time I do this I see profound results. Of course 3 days in sansho shima hit, (obstacles that prevent one from becoming enlightened). Got a bad cold and pretty much lost my voice. You guys know that whenever we make a great determination obstacles come our way. I’ll keep you posted.
Hey Cathryn, thanks for your kind words and also for the update on your daimoku campaign, great stuff – you continue to inspire!! I also have a cold and some voice loss at the moment, but as Nichiren says, when we face obstacles, ‘the wise rejoice and the foolish retreat.’ All best, David
Way to go Cathryn…no sickness can be an obstacle!! I am challenging 2 hrs / day too! However being able to manage only 1.5 each day…Have an exam on this Saturday so striving to study hard, and balance everything along with chanting and study towards Youth Division Campaign 🙂 I wish you speedy recovery and victory at ur targets and in ur life! 🙂
Thank you so much for this interview it helped me a LOT! Exactely what I need to hear!
I’m sharing with my district. Thank you!
Dear Denise
many thanks for those kind words! Cathryn was a very uplifting person to interview and I am delighted that her story has been of value in your district :-). Warm wishes, David
More SGI Buddhists showing actual proof of doing what they love! This makes me want to see the Movie Wild after reading it years back, And I know the woman in the far right of the photo! Erica ?? She is a sweet WD (actress/singer)who opened her home to myself and another young woman from Nor Cal when we came down for a Youth conference about 10 years ago! small world:) this was a really encouraging article, thank you 🙂
I absolutely feel in love with this conversation…..in such simple eloquence she spoke her heart out …..filled with humility and giving us a clear glimpse of her beautiful Buddha Nature.
Thanks both of you for putting this extra efforts & making a real difference to us….
So sorry I forgot to report back after my last post. Right after that daimoku campaign I booked a guest starring role on Halt and Catch Fire. Then a few months later, guest starring roles on Code Black and Shameless. I’ve introduced 3 new people to the practice in the last year and continuing to support the women in my district. So grateful to share my experience with you!
Hey Cathryn, thanks loads for the update :-). At this rate – with all your new and inspirational victories – I will have to interview you again for my blog! Warmest wishes and congrats on your latest successes in both your faith and your career. Dx
Lol! What can I say? This practice works! You just gotta do it! Xxoo