Trans Actress Karla Sofía Gascón Honors Identity with Buddhist Chant at Golden Globes

Transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón made a memorable impression at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards by reciting the Buddhist mantra “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” during her acceptance speech.

According to reports from USA Today and NBC News on Monday, the awards ceremony occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez won the Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy award.

During the ceremony, Gascón, the film’s lead actress, took the stage with her castmates to accept the award. After expressing her gratitude with a simple “Thank you,” she surprised the audience by chanting “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” three times, which piqued the curiosity of many in attendance.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a sacred phrase in Nichiren Buddhism, derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the full title of the Lotus Sutra, Myoho Renge Kyo. The term Nam-myo is akin to Namu in the chanting of Namu Amitabha in Pure Land Buddhism, meaning “I devote myself to.” Followers believe that reciting this mantra brings blessings and spiritual protection.

In her emotional acceptance speech, Gascón powerfully stated, “The light always wins over darkness. You can maybe put us in jail. You can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity. Raise your voice for freedom. I am who I am, not who you want. Thank you so much.”

Gascón, formerly known as Juan Carlos Gascón, transitioned in 2018 after undergoing gender confirmation surgery. She has since embraced her true identity and continues to work in the entertainment industry under her current name.

Emilia Pérez, the Spanish musical film that won four Golden Globe awards, tells the story of a Mexican gang leader who undergoes gender confirmation surgery to start a new life, along with the women who support him. Gascón plays the lead role as the gang leader in this bold and innovative film.