The Untold Story of Benedict Cumberbatch Teaching Tibetan Monks English

Benedict Cumberbatch, acclaimed for his portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange, possesses a unique backstory that has contributed to his tranquil and concentrated presence: a pivotal experience volunteering as an English teacher for Tibetan Buddhist monks near Darjeeling, India.Spending a gap year prior to entering the acting realm, Cumberbatch engaged with a supportive and witty community of monks, tasked with imparting English skills to learners aged 8 to 40. Demonstrating resourcefulness, he constructed a blackboard himself and introduced an inventive reward system utilizing sweets and games to motivate his students.“They were wonderfully warm, clever, and humorous,” Cumberbatch shared with “Lion's Roar” in 2016. He emphasized their invaluable lessons on life and spirituality, noting that their humor deepened his understanding of the human experience.Additionally, Cumberbatch participated in a retreat focused on purifying the mind through incantation, which significantly enhanced his sensory awareness and actor-focused skills.

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