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The Matrix & Hindu Philosophy

After yet another viewing of the Matrix (The first part), the more i think about it, the more i get to understand the fact that it is so much based on the Hindu philosophy.
Picture this:
1. In Hindu philosophy "The One" (typically in reference to Brahmins) refers to that person who fully understand that the world around him is in effect a virtual world or maya. The same is the case in Matrix

2. The concept of a supreme being (In Hindu philosophy's case Brahma/Vishnu) being everywhere and anywhere. Lookout when Lawrence Fishburne says "The Matrix there everywhere and anywhere".

3. In fact, the entire thought process that we all live in a virtual world seems to be heavily inspired.

4. I particularly liked the conversation that happens in the ship just after Neo is liberated (BTW, Neo is an anagram for "One"). The youngest member of the crew, Mouse, asks some really interesting questions in the dining table. How do computers know taste that they fed that taste into humans ? They fed some arbitrary taste thougths to the humans and hence, they think this is how an item must taste! On a similar plane, how do we recognize those tastes ? In fact, when everything around the world is virtual, how can we claim anything for surety ? Some interesting thoughts can occur to one if he/she starts thinking along those lines.

These analogies are just a tip of the iceberg. Throughout the movie, i could find hundreds of instances where there are references to Hindu Philosophy.

I think there are some kind of references to these kind in Christianity. I am not particularly sure of them though, nor am i about any other religion.

But overall, i think The Hindu philosophy makes for some interesting reading. As my grandfather used to say "Philosophy is a way of life and hence, read it when you are young and impressionable. There is no point in reading books on philosophy when you are post sixty. You don't have much life to live anyway;-)". And once you have even a little bit of understanding about it, you will start living life by the minute. Trust me. I speak from personal experience ;-)

As they say, packaging is everything. Post this movie, a lot more number of people have started taking note of Hindu philosophies and why, even books have been written about the connection between this movie and Hindu Philosophy.

K.Shyam
Tags: Brahmin, Hinduism, Matrix Movie

Posted by Unknown at 1:48 AM