CRASH star Matt Dillon has created his own tailor-made religion by mixing his Catholic heritage with his new admiration for Buddhist beliefs.

The 41-year-old actor spent time filming his directorial debut City of Ghosts in Cambodia in 2002, and immediately became fascinated by the Buddhism ever since.

He says, "Making a movie in Cambodia... I wouldn't say I'm now a Buddhist, but I respect Buddhism. I think it's a rational religion - the simple idea of staying in the middle path, keeping the balance.

"I'm no longer a practicing Catholic. I think there's some good in most faiths."