To answer your question about Shanti Shanti....Shanti is a word in Sanskrit that simply means "peace". It's part of a Buddhist and Hindu mantra, which is Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. The shanti is repeated three times, as are many chants in Buddhism. In Buddhism as well as in Hinduism the threefold Shanti is generally interpreted as meaning the Threefold Peace in body, speech, and mind (i.e. peace in the entirety of one’s being).
Hindu teachings typically end with the words Om shanti shanti shanti as an invocation of peace, and the mantra is also used to conclude some Buddhist devotional ceremonies.
The character of Cora is a pop singing diva (like Madonna, Brittney, etc.) who was, as I interpret it, somewhat of a follower of Buddhism, and a representation of the unusual behavior some pop and rock stars exhibit. She obviously didn't understand much about it, since she only says Shanti twice as opposed to the three times that it is supposed to be repeated, and when Hugh Grant's character Alex tells Drew Barrymore's character Sophie that Cora thought the Dalai Lama was a llahma, that was a dig at her. Also, her using a statue of Buddha on stage was a send-up of Madonna doing the crucifix thing and whatever she did in the video for "Like A Prayer". Hope that helps you!
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