The concept of Buddhism has attracted attention within the field of film since the origin of cinema in the United States. In all the times when Buddhism has been associated with films, it has signified exoticism in ways that are both flattering and unflattering. It is vital to note that film as a form of documentary practice started towards the end of the nineteenth century. On the other hand, film as a form of entertainment for the public has always found Buddhism as a subject of fun and interest since its start. Notably, the first Buddhist film was created in the year 1925 and called Light of Asia . Since then, the impact of Buddhism in Hollywood films has been immense. Buddhist influence in the Hollywood entertainment continues to grow as it is evident in the within The Matrix film, through its plot, themes and principles.
American films have over time made Buddhism far less exotic than it may have been in reality. The Buddhist themes in Hollywood films show the significant impact of the Asian philosophy and religion on American culture. The significant influence of the Buddhism on Hollywood films can be demonstrated by the many Buddhist cinema festivals which have been held overtime. In these festivals, films which are shown are not just from Asia, but mostly Hollywood movies and those from other countries. 1 It shows that the Buddhist ideas and images have been slowly but steadily creeping into the American and European societies through visual media. Understandably, movies produced in Hollywood are meant for wider distribution. 2 The audience for such movies is always the modern Americans and many people across the world. However, Buddhist themes and ideas have continued to inform such films proving the huge influence of Buddhism on American cinemas. There are two classes of Buddhist films. Some films are about Buddhism while others are not.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Although there are strong Christian themes in the movie The Matrix , presence of powerful and influential Buddhism is evident. A person watching this film would find it difficult to understand the plot and philosophical premises behind the whole film if he or she does not fathom the background of Buddhism as well as the Buddhist doctrines. One of the clearest Buddhist themes present in the Matrix films is the basic principle that people think of a computer-generated situation as reality. 3 This idea is closely related with the doctrine held in Buddhism that the world as it is known is simply illusion. Therefore, people have to break out of this illusion to attain enlightenment. Factually, Buddhists always postulate that the biggest problem affecting humanity today is the inability to reason and see through the illusion existing on the world.
Today, in the Hollywood films, there are many themes of fiction. Indeed, movie fans are now attracted to fictitious actions which find much application in human dreams. The most interesting thing is that Hollywood actors have realized the kind of sales they achieve when Buddhist themes are infused into the movies produced. The plot points are rousing when they entail illusionary events and incidents. Throughout The Matrix film, there are many small Buddhist themes used. For instance, the Keanu Reeve's character Neo is helped in his education regarding the state of the Matrix, by a young boy who is dressed in the garb made of a Buddhist monk. 4 Moreover, he gives Neo the explanation that he must know there is no spoon. Therefore, the ability of people to change the world around is a function of people’s capability in altering their minds and perspectives.
In the Matrix film, there is also the Buddhist theme of mirrors and reflections. Constant reflections are present in the whole film through the sunglasses which heroes wear. Within the Buddhist teachings, mirrors are an important metaphor. According to this metaphor, the world seen around us is a total reflection of what exists in us. 5 Essentially, one can tell the real nature of a person by simply looking at the world around them. This idea is closely related with the notion that people are defined by the companies they keep and the kind of environment in which they stay. Although a statement which is not wholly true, there is some sense of reality in its implication.
A person watching the Matrix film can easily confuse it for a purely Buddhist movie. However, things do not remain as simple as they may appear. Firstly, Buddhists do not just fully believe in the notion that the world around is a pure illusion. There are many Mahayana Buddhists who usually argue that the world does really exist. The way people understand this world is what is wrong and illusory. 6 It implies that the perceptions of people regarding what reality is do not match it actually. People do not have to mistake an image for reality.
From the Matrix film, it is evident that the Buddhist ideas and themes have greatly influenced Hollywood movies. Watching the Hollywood movies makes a person to rethink what they view as reality. The impact of Buddhism, especially on the theme of reality in all the Hollywood films is huge. There is a thin line between what is ably done within the real physical world and things acted in the film. It is, thus, vital to find out the reason Buddhism is gaining much application within the Hollywood film world. The obvious reason is that applying Buddhist themes in the films makes them quite interesting to the audience and worthy to purchase.
Film, today, seems to be the natural allegory for Buddhism since it advances series of images which connect us to the real world in which people believe. The influence of Buddhism in Hollywood films has been witnessed in the theme of orientalism where Asians are portrayed using the otherness attitude. In most cases, the Americans are shown saving the Asians from the miseries inflicted on them by fellow Asians.
The fact that Buddhist themes are applied in the films produced within Hollywood does not mean they are purely for those who subscribe to the Buddhism religion. However, these films lightly apply the concept of Buddhism to simply make them memorable as well as interesting while still targeting the larger cross-religious audience. 7 Even the Matrix , cannot be classified as a pure or full Buddhist film. There are facts of the film which significantly contrast it from the basic Buddhist principles. For instance, the Buddhist principles do not allow for extreme violence which is seen in the same film.
It can be concluded that the concept of Buddhism has gained much influence in Hollywood. Producers now apply basic ideas, themes and principles of Buddhism in developing the plot points of films so that they can make them interesting, memorable and fan to watch. The influence of Buddhism has especially been felt in the theme of reality. The world in which one gets into while watching a Hollywood movie is sharply different from the one that surrounds an individual away from the film. Therefore, the philosophy of Buddhism helps Hollywood producers to come up with much selling films across the world.
Bibliography
Baker, Geoff. "Portraying the Quest for Buddhist Wisdom?: A Comparative Study of The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Journal of Religion & Film 10, no. 1 (2016): 3.
Renger, Almut-Barbara. "Buddhism and Film—Inter-Relation and Interpenetration: Reflections on an Emerging Research Field." Contemporary Buddhism 15, no. 1 (2014): 1-27.
Whalen-Bridge, John, and Gary Storhoff, eds. Buddhism and American Cinema . SUNY Press, 2014.
