Hi Guyz,
as I'm sure you all are - am v. excited for M-Reloaded-will be a big day here in London on the 23rd (a week later than the US but at least we're not having to wait the usual 6-12 months after a major US release.)
My question to you all is what influenences are you aware of for the philosophy behind the Matrix.
Writers and schools of thought that come to mind are the Toltecs including Carlos Castenada and Taoism.
Any Thoughts.
Stephen

good question. i'm kind of clueless as to what the answer
might be though. :confused:

__________________

In a religious philosophy way, the Matrix paralles Buddhism, and reminds me a lot of Gnosticism.

How so? Mind to explain please?

Luc L.

__________________

Think it upholds the beliefs that "Whatever you want to believe, as long as you truly believe it, you can live it" Which is buddhist if im not mistaken, which i may be....


~Mag-Z

My post just backed out on me, and this is the 2nd time I'm typing this so bear with me.

In buddhism, a person becomes enlightened, and escapes from Samsara (the world). In the matrix, you get unplugged, and escape the matrix.

In buddhism, when a person realizes that all life is suffering and unfilled desires (which is why we continually come back through reincarnation) they become enlightened (to achieve nirvana, letting go of all your desires), and will be reincarnted no more after they die. In the matrix, a person realizes that all life is an illusion, and when unplugged, are brought into the new world.

Back in the day (I don't know if this applies still) Arhats (enlightened monks) had incredible psychic powers like the buddha, and could use thier understanding of the false nature of the world to do cool tricks. (the tricks were a method of persuading non-buddhists of how great thier religion was). In the matrix, when unplugged, you can through understanding of the illusory nature of the world, do cool things like jump high and move fast.

In Samsara, the gods (people who accrued vast amounts of karma and were given a lifetime as a god) such as Mara, tried to stop the buddha, because he was trying to free the gods followers. In the matrix, the agents try to stop the people who are freeing thier batteries.

There's more, but I can't think right now, and I took the buddhism class over a year ago, so my memory's foggy.

Wow.

Thanks for the explanation Rev. Joshua.

I guess there is evidence that supports both theories
now. Pretty amazing stuff when you break the movie
down like that. Never thought of it that way but it
sure does make sense.

Amazing stuff.

__________________

This is the 1st time I've ever posted somewhere where I've actuallyu talked about religion. the Rev in my name just made me feel smarter.

Good stuff Rev.....cool how the Matrix apparently ties in a lotta different religions...makes ya think...

~Mag-Z

P.S. Luc just hit 69 posts...../chuckle......

well. it's pretty convincing stuff! :cool:

__________________

No doubt, Rev, great post! Thanks, I've never taken a religion class like that, now I can see how it could come in handy! ;)

-WC-

Rev. Josh - Do you think that the matrix in a matrix theory might be right because it would parallel with 'anatta' - no permanent self or soul within anybody?