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The award-winning Sherlock star claims that the religion has spurred him on to excel in his career.

“As an actor you are looking for the infinite,” Benedict told the Buddhist magazine, Lion's Roar.

“If you can hold that, if you can remember that in the chaos, it will anchor you and give you grace and ease.”

The 39-year-old often speaks fondly of his gap year in India, where he first learnt about the religion.

He spent time in a monastery in the state of West Bengal in eastern India teaching English to Tibetan monks.

He has said of the time, "I became interested the meeting point between Western logic and Eastern mysticism."



In the interview with Lion's Roar, he goes on to add, “I’d always been fascinated by the idea of meditation.

“Sensory awareness is heightened and more sharply focused, which is an essential part of acting.”

Benedict's character travels to Nepal to seek out the help of a sorcerer in his new film Doctor Strange.

He took advantage of a break from filming the superhero movie in South Asia this winter to visit a monastery, where he learned about the Buddhist faith and was given a private blessing by a monk.

The actor was joined by the big budget film's crew and his co-star, 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor .

The film is due for release in November this year.