Love this article about Tom Cruise. I really agree with his views on the relationship between Scientology and Buddhism:

"Buddhism is Grandfather of Scientology": Tom Cruise

Saturday January 10, 05:53 AM

PARIS (AFP) - Tom Cruise, who stars in Edward Zwick's "The Last Samurai", praised eastern religion saying "Buddhism is the grandfather of scientology" and climbed up on a chair to show off his new-found strength and flexibility in the making of the film.

The 41-year-old star, sporting short hair and a grey suit, waxed lyrical on Buddhism during a Paris news conference at the Ritz hotel held to promote the release in France of the movie next week.

"I was struck by the code of Bushido (the way of the Samurai). It's powerful, it talks about compassion, helping others, responsibility, integrity ... timeless values, ways I identify with," said Cruise, who has practised scientology for 20 years.

"Buddhism is the grandfather of Scientology" added the actor, flanked by Zwick and his Japanese partner Hiroyuki Sanada....

In the two-and-a-half hour movie, Algren is hired by the Emperor Meiji to train an army which would be able to eliminate the samurai, who for centuries were the primary defense force for the Japanese empire. When he is captured by the samurai in a battle, his loyalties are seriously called into question.

The movie, filmed in Japan, New Zealand and Hollywood, premiered in early December in Japan and the United States simultaneously.

"I learned a lot about my own history and the Indian Americans," Cruise said.

"The beauty of cinema is to melt barriers and see how other people live and celebrate different cultures, instead of being afraid."

Related Sites about Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard

Dianetics: Understanding the Mind
L. Ron Hubbard, A Profile
L. Ron Hubbard: Study Technology