Not many people know but the long running US animated cartoon series has featured the Buddhist religion in the 6th episode of the 13th season in 2002. In the usual complicated Simpsons plot line we see Lisa Simpson abandoning an over commercialized Christianity and embracing Buddhism along with a cartoon Richard Gere (who is one the cartoon’s best looking celebrity visualizations) who also espouses his spirituality.
It is thought that Lisa has continued to be a Buddhist in subsequent episodes and on that basis I think we can safely say that Lisa Simpson is the longest running Buddhist cartoon characters in history!
“All things are empty of inherent existence.” Lisa Simpson
