Words by Amanda Randall
In a world overflowing with curated experiences and covetable design, Buddhism offers a radical shift in perspective: what if true luxury isn't about having more—but needing less?
That question found me unexpectedly on a breezy hillside in St. Mary, Jamaica, where I had retreated for a rare pause. There was no schedule, no reception. Just the hush of nature, the rustle of bamboo leaves, and a modest altar holding a single lotus flower. My host, once a creative director in New York’s fashion scene, had traded deadlines for Dharma after discovering Nichiren Buddhism—the same practice that gave voice to Tina Turner’s resilience and shaped Orlando Bloom’s quiet strength.
“Luxury,” she said as we watched the sun disappear behind the Blue Mountains, “is not about what you hold onto. It’s about what you feel free enough to let go.”
And just like that, something shifted.
THE BEAUTY OF LESS
Buddhism—especially Nichiren’s teachings—centers on the power within, rather than the distractions without. It speaks to the impermanence of all things. The idea that even the most lavish villa or handcrafted bag will eventually fade. And in embracing this truth, we unlock peace.
But don’t mistake this for denial. It’s not a call to strip away pleasure, but rather to refine it. To make space for the meaningful, the intentional, the soulful.
In this light, luxury takes on a new shape:
A morning chant that clears the mind.
A seaside soak with wildcrafted oils.
A conversation that doesn’t rush.
A home that breathes.
WHERE MINDFULNESS MEETS OPULENCE
The modern definition of luxury is evolving. Once synonymous with more—more space, more stuff, more shine—it’s now quietly pivoting toward presence. Toward experiences that nourish. Materials that connect. Environments that support emotional and spiritual ease.
We see it in the rise of minimalist Caribbean resorts where serenity is the amenity. In boutique villas designed around silence, light, and natural flow. In skincare lines that blend indigenous herbs with intentional rituals.
It’s a kind of elevated living where mindfulness becomes the new marker of taste—and where your surroundings reflect not just your style, but your state of mind.
SPIRITUAL ICONS, STYLISH LIVES
Tina Turner’s iconic voice and luminous stage presence were inseparable from her Buddhist practice. After surviving years of hardship, she credited chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—a core practice of Nichiren Buddhism—as the turning point in reclaiming her power. Similarly, actor Orlando Bloom has spoken openly about how chanting helped him remain centered amid the glitter of Hollywood.
Their stories reveal a truth: spiritual depth and worldly success are not opposites. They’re complementary. Mindfulness doesn’t dull our sparkle—it sharpens it.
REDEFINING WHAT MATTERS
Since that quiet week in Jamaica, I’ve found myself approaching life—and luxury—differently.
I still love beautiful spaces. But now I’m drawn to the ones that make me breathe deeper. I still shop. But I choose pieces that feel like a second skin, not just a trend. I still travel, but I seek the feeling, not just the photo.
I ask questions like:
Does this nourish my spirit?
Does it create ease?
Does it bring me closer to who I truly am?
THE MOST LUXURIOUS THING? INNER PEACE.
Mindful luxury isn’t about scarcity. It’s about discernment. About surrounding yourself with less, so that more—joy, clarity, truth—can rise to the surface.
It’s the velvet of silence.
The fragrance of stillness.
The sparkle of self-awareness.
And perhaps, in a world that constantly pushes us to chase more, there is nothing more decadent than knowing we already have enough.
Editor’s Note: For those interested in learning more about Nichiren Buddhism, explore resources through SGI (Soka Gakkai International), an organization that supports Buddhist practice globally—including right here in the Caribbean.
