Nichiren Buddhism and The Matrix

Hello all, I'm a Nichiren Buddhist (Japanese Buddhism), and when watching Matrix Reloaded, the Merovingian says to neo, Trin, and Morpheus, that the Universe has a law of Cause and Effect. Action, Reaction; What goes around, comes around.

This law is very profound, and is what we Nichiren Buddhists follow, but not just us follow it, many people do. But we thank our lives, and understand that we made a cause to get this reaction, whether it be good or bad. When something bad happens to us, we must come to understand that we did something to be treated this way, and by making a good cause in return, we do what Catholics and Christians call "Redeeming orselves". The practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism provides a means to fundamentally revitalize one's life, in that one can confront personal problems courageously pursuing his or her goals while experiencing positive growth in self-indentity.
But along side with making causes, we chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo* [Nahm-Myoho-RenGe'-Kyo].

Nam- means devotion to summoning the lifeforce within us, fusing it with the lifeforce of the universe by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.

Myoho- literally means "The Mystic Law"-the essential principle of the universe within our lives.

Renge- means Cause and Effect. Causality as taught by Buddhism is a strict law which penetrates past, present, and future. Consequently, causes made through thought, word and deed always come back to the doer. This implies personal responsibility for the fate of ones life while enabling one to face and overcome troubles and obstacles and live with confidence.

Kyo- means sound and vibration connecting all life throughout the Universe- the teachings of the Buddha.

So really, the Merovingian played a part of good in the Matrix, showing Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus the Law of Cause and Effect, or as we call "Renge". But he chose to make bad causes, as he played the role of the villain.

I hope most of you understand this, and if you are interested in learning more,
go www.sgi-usa.org (http://www.sgi-usa.org)

I am representing Soka Gakkai International, the organization of people who fight for uniersal peace, wisdom, knowledge, and Justice.

Thanks for posting this Lotus Jet. It was very informative to me personally, as I knew nothing previously of Nichiren Buddhism, and hadn't heard many in-depth Buddhist insights or perspectives on the Matrix, as Christian principles are dominant in most discussions. Thanks again for enlightening the community.

uniersal peace, wisdom, knowledge, and Justice.

How do you, from your buddhism, define universal peace, and justice?

Although I understand you basic form of 'kharma', 'what comes around goes around', I do wonder how your order in itself will promote justice, in regard to the justice system as it is currently seen throughout the western world.
The same goes for peace, how does your order intent to promote peace in the universe, following the principles of your religion?

Mr U

Fight for peace? Lol. Still, though, very interesting read.

@NoMatrix, Not literally fight for peace.

@Hannibal, throigh your own individual Human Revolution, people taking responsibilty for their own life condition, and not blaming others for their own state of life. War comes from victimization and then payback, and when we have a world where people take responsibilty, it eliminates the need to fight back.It's based upon the law of cause an effect.Greed, Anger, and Stupidity cause war. So taking responsibility for your actions and not blaming others=Human Revolution.

Do you understand the concepts Karma and Reincarnation? Because if you understand about reincarnation, you'll see that the situations that people are born into, are based on causes made in previous existences. So when you recognize that, it empowers you, to make new causes, i.e, to not react to your situations in life, but to chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo with the thoughts of how you want your life to be. For Example, if you want the shop down the street to lower their price on something you want, if you chant for it and make the causes to get it, it might not happen the way you see it, but the universe will respond to your causes, and the thing you want might come in a different situation for the price you want. Please know this is just a minor example. We are not against materialism, but we moreso focus on the things that will help our lives.

Interesting concepts, Lotus Jet, and some concepts that are indeed valuable in western society. Although I am no buddhist (atheist), and do not believe in reincarnation, I do recognise myself in your 'definition of peace'.

I do, however, believe that this Human Revolution as you so choose to call it can be reached through other means apart from your religion, do you not believe so? And that's the basic problem of humanity. Although, at it's core, this is a beautiful religion, and I mean that profoundly, I fear that to the large mass of people, the message will not be heard. People will still blame each other and wage war.

Christianity, for example, preaches "Do unto others as you would want others to do unto you". Some christians might follow this principle and also experience your human revolution. Many, however, do not.

Mr U

Yes, Human Revolution can be reached in any religion, or none at all. It's all about determination, and making the impossible possible. First thinking, then action with determination.

I am representing Soka Gakkai International, the organization of people who fight for uniersal peace, wisdom, knowledge, and Justice.


SGI is one of the few Buddhist sects that proselytize and actively look for new members.

Lotus Jet, do you think that if you fish in the waters of the potentially disaffected that you will find some takers?

Yes, there are many Buddhist elements to the Matrix movies. Their main website carries interesting articles that speak to that effect. The law of kamma is inescapable.

yep... you gotta look out for that inescapable law of kamma... its a bastard

on the other hand kharma is just as bad... or good depending on how its spelt..

OH I MISS YOU MATRIX MANIA!!!

-sobs into hat-

I am representing Soka Gakkai International, the organization of people who fight for uniersal peace, wisdom, knowledge, and Justice.

Go you. Please drop me a line when you have achieved them. :D

I was wrong about fighting for justice. We are strugglers for the peace of one's self and for the peace of this world. Justice can be used in ways we disapprove of. But yes, we do find members out of everybody. There are homeless people that still have some brain, and they want to change their lives. Even Orlando Cepada (old SF Giants player) after smuggling things from south the border, he changed his life through this Buddhism, and he was allowed in the Hall of Fame. His determination to change the karma he recieved through those causes got him back up. That is an example of Human Revolution.