However, his charioteer, Krishna reveals himself as a mystical and wise being and helps him overcome these challenges. Similar to Luke and Yoda, Prince Arjuna despairs as he must go to war against his kin.
The relationship between Yoda and Luke has been compared to the ancient characters of this Hindu epic, Prince Arjuna and Krishna. This text is significant as it is one of the first literary pieces to represent the relationship of the master and disciple, a recurring theme in Star Wars.
Indus Valley seal – thought to represent Siva in Padmasana (Pashupati Seal, 2000 BC. In Star Wars, the meditating Jedi often symbolises the way Jedis can channel the power of the Force. Siddartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who later became known as Buddha (Awakened one) is often represented meditating on a pedestal in Padmasana or the lotus position. “You will know when you are calm, at peace, passive” Master Yoda The Empire Strikes Back (Kershner and Lutz, 1980) Many scenes in Star Wars show that the Jedi can connect to the Force through the power of a stoic and quiet mind. Buddhist teachings place an emphasis on meditation and its focus to relax the mind from racing thoughts and attaining a state of peace. Buddhism emerged in mid-millennium BC in India and has become a widely practiced religion with approximately 500 million adherents. The Forces’ ancient origins also trickles into the philosophy of Buddhism. One is selfish, and you wanna keep them in balance.” George Lucas (Renee, L. “The core of the Force…you have the dark side and the light side. Sunshine will always have rain, creation will end in destruction, and be reborn again.
Thus, saying this, the light will always have a dark side. It is nature’s way, the law that exists in the material cosmos. In fact, Taoism introduced the idea that the world contains a balance of opposing forces. Taoist thought also provided inspiration to the conflict between the Jedi and Sith. Although Taoism was largely replaced by the arrival of Confucianism and Buddhism in China, it still maintains an active following today. Were I forced to say to what class of things it belongs I should call it Immense.” Writings from Tao Te Ching (Strickmann et al, 2020)Īn omnipresent energy glimmers the similarities between Taoism and the Jedi lore. “It is something formlessly fashioned, that existed before heaven and earth… Its name we do not know Tao is the byname that we give it. Once he left, this book was his parting gift to the Chinese people, and it elucidates on the Tao, or the universal energy. Although the authorship is not clear, legend has it that the historical philosopher Lao Tzu wrote the principle Taoist book, the Tao Te Ching ( The Way) when he left China, as shown above. This concept of an energy that is undercurrent of all living things and the cosmos, originates from the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism which emerged circa 5th – 6th century BCE. “My ally is the force and a powerful ally it is, life creates it, makes it grow, it’s energy surrounds us and binds us” Master Yoda in the Empire Strikes Back (Kershner and Lutz, 1980)