The Buddhism of Star Wars
The Star Wars movies have become part of our mainstream culture. The Star Wars saga is written by George Lucas and consists of three movies. The first movie known as episode IV or simply Star Wars came out in 1977. Three years later the second movie, The Empire Strikes back was released and finally, in 1983, the last episode, Return of the Jedi, was completed. These three films experienced extraordinary praise and many consider them the best trilogy of movies ever made. I admit that I myself have been a long time and avid fan of the movies. On the surface, it is easy to see why these films were so exciting with amazing special affects, and action packed scenes. However, despite all the extraordinary affects, the plot was rather simple, essentially consisting of a classic 'good versus evil' battle. A group of rebels in a galaxy, where space travel is common, are struggling against an evil empire that is striving to dominate the entire galaxy through use of force. Against seemingly overwhelming odds the rebels manage to defeat the empire and liberate the galaxy. Many people feel that George Lucas took ideas from different religions in order to create the rules for good and evil in his universe. One fan of the movies wrote, "George Lucas lets his story unfold around a core of mythical, religious elements... he let's his universe be divided into two fundamental sides, an evil side and a good side." (Unknown-internet) Being a huge fan of the Star Wars movies, I have watched them all several times. When I was young I mostly enjoyed them for their action but lately I am exploring and enjoying the philosophical and religious side of Star Wars. I feel that George Lucas uses many elements of world religions in order to create the rules for his Star Wars universe. Upon learning about Buddhism I began to realize many parallels between the religion in Star Wars, labeled "The Force", and Buddhism. The purpose of this paper will be to examine the similarities and differences between Buddhism and the primary religion known as "The Force" in Star Wars. I will compare many core beliefs in Buddhism such as Karma, rebirth, suffering, teachings, Brahman, and compare them to the philosophy of the Star Wars movies. I intend to show that Star Wars follows many of the primary teachings of Buddhism.
Gorge Lucas, in an interview with TIME magazine (April 26, 1999 Vol. 153), acknowledges the religious undertones in Star Wars. Rogier Bos, who analyzed the interview Lucas had in Time magazine notes that "A number of things are striking in this interview... First of all Lucas observes that many people have lost interest in religion and this is a sad thing. As (Lucas) sees it, religion brings a sense of stability, and people lose out when they abandon their religion... With the Star Wars movies, Lucas is trying to turn the tide. In his view, people need faith. (Lucas) readily admits the religious undertones in the Star Wars movies, and is quick to say that he has borrowed from multiple religions" (The Theology of Star Wars).
In Star Wars, the Force is seen as energy that binds and unites the entire universe. In essence, it makes everything in the universe one. We learn about the Force through the character of Luke Skywalker. Luke decides to become a Jedi Knight and learn about the ways of the Force. His first teacher, Obi -Wan Kenobi, explains to Luke that " the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together " (Star Wars 1977). Later Luke learns from another master named Yoda who also tells Luke about the Force and guides him with his words; "For my ally is the Force. Moreover, a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us, Luminous beings we are... not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you...me...the tree... the rock...everywhere!" (Star Wars 1980). From the words of these two teachers, you get a sense that the Force is an underlying oneness or interconnectedness between all things in the universe. Luke is somehow the same as everyone and everything else. This is very similar to the notion of Buddha-nature. In Buddhism the concept of an underlying essence, connecting the entire universe is known as Brahman. Buddhists believe that everything is the same. Everything is energy. The Force in Star wars and Buddhism are similar because they are both universal concepts. Neither have a god to worship as both operate according to the laws of the universe. The Buddha taught that because everything is, in essence, one, then there is no real separate self.
In order to learn the Force Luke must change his perceptions on reality. Obi- wan reveals to Luke that " (he is) going to find out that many of the truths we cling to depend on our own point of view...(our) eyes can deceive... don't trust them" (Star Wars 1977). Luke is told not to trust his perceptions but to let go of them and stretch out with his feelings. Obi- wan states that in order to grasp the Force Luke must, "let go of (his) conscious self and act on instinct...stretch out with (his) feelings" (Star Wars 1977). To use "The Force", Jedi Knights must let go of their sense of self and perceptions about the world. This follows closely to the Buddhist teaching of non-self. Luke is taught further that which he sees may not be real. His perceptions can lie and therefore he cannot trust his eyes. In Buddhism, the physical world is also seen as an illusion. One must realize that their senses can deceive them and trick them into believing that the illusion (reality) is real. In Buddhism, it is our perceptions and ignorance of ultimate reality that leads us to a sense of self and ultimately constrains us to Samsara (the eternal cycle of death and rebirth). To reach a higher self or ultimate truth, a monk must realize his false conceptions that are created through the five skandhas (form, feelings, perception, thought formation, and the six sense spheres). It is a connection to the skandhas that ties an individual to a Vijnana (or dualist) sense of reality. When you realize that all is one and is not separate then you have Prajna (wisdom) and a higher sense of reality. To use the Force in Star Wars, Luke must realize that his senses and perceptions can lie to him and, ultimately, are an illusion. When he comes to realize this illusion, the Force will open to him. Monks must also come to realize that the physical world is really an illusion.
The key to Buddhist thought is in the four noble truths revealed by the Buddha. The truths are: 1) Life is suffering 2) there is a cause to suffering (desire, attachment, and ignorance) 3) suffering can be overcome 4) the way to overcome suffering is through the Noble 8-fold path. These four noble truths are one aspect of Buddhism that is missing from Star wars. Star Wars does not seem to have the notion of Duhkha, a Buddhist term that translates as "uneasiness", which is said to be a common characteristic of all conditioned reality. There is no suggestion in Star Wars that all life is suffering and that suffering needs to be overcome. Buddhists believe that suffering binds them to eternal reincarnation. Robinson and Johnson write, "The formula for dependant co-arising states that craving leads to attachment and from there to suffering... the five skandhas which cover the whole of describable and attachable reality... attachment to any of the five skandhas, constitutes the essence of duhkha." (Robinson/Johnson. 37) The Star Wars movies do not touch very deeply on what happens to people when they die. We know however that there is an afterlife in the Star Wars universe. Both Yoda and Obi -wan continue to communicate as spirits to Luke after they die. They continue to aid Luke in his quest to understand "The Force". They act as guides, resembling Avalokitesvara, a 'great being' who was once a man of this world and whom now watches over the world and guides sentient beings. It is unclear what happens to enlightened Jedi masters when they die. In Buddhism, people who reach Nirvana (enlightenment/release from Samsara) attain Moksha or liberation from Samsara; this ends suffering. I think that Star Wars omits the notion of suffering because there is no notion of reincarnation in Star Wars. In Buddhism, the concepts of eternal rebirth and eternal suffering are closely connected. The Buddha understood cause and effect after he remembered his past lives and this led him to believe that life is suffering.
In Buddhism, serious followers join the monastery and become monks. They shave their heads, renounce worldly possessions and don yellow robes. Possessions are dangerous because they lead to attachment and desire. The Buddha taught monks to follow the 8-fold path in order to defeat suffering and desire. This path includes right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. This is the middle path to follow in order to attain Nirvana. Many monks seek seclusion to meditate and further understand reality. In Star Wars, both Jedi masters, Ben and Yoda, exhibit many monk -like qualities. Both live remote, secluded lives away from civilization and have few possessions. Both only wear simple robes. Yoda preaches that only though proper training can Luke understand The Force. Yoda states, "A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one (Luke), a long time have I watched. Never his mind on where he was...What he was doing? Adventure! Excitement! A Jedi craves not these things. (He is) reckless!" (Star Wars, 1980). Yoda stresses to Luke the importance of mindfulness, patience and concentration on the moment. Buddhists also feel that a serious mind is important. In order to train their minds to concentrate on the present many Buddhists meditate. It is important for monks to be observant of the present moment. Yoda chastises Luke for always looking ahead into the future and not thinking about the present.
It is important for Jedi's to have commitment and serious minds because the powers of the Force come with immense responsibilities. Yoda explains that once there were many Jedi Knights and that they were the guardians of peace and justice. This community of Jedi is like the Sangha of monks in Buddhism. When a Jedi has full control and understanding of the Force, this control gives him many powers. Jedi's can manipulate objects, have psychic visions, manipulate weak minds, and control many aspects of their physical environment. Buddhist's claim that enlightenment to the higher level of reality also gives monks special abilities. Meditation can lead to the knowing of superknowledges. Robinson and Johnson explain, "The forth level (meditation), serves as the foundation for abhijna (the six superknowledges); 1) Pyschic powers such as levitation 2) the divine ear or psychic hearing 3) knowledge of others minds 4) memory of one's former lives 5) the divine eye or psychic vision and 6) the ending of asrava (pollutants of the Mind)" (Robinson/Johnson. 15). Only the power of memory of ones former lives is not available to the Jedi's in Star Wars. This is because there is no sense of reincarnation in the movies.
In Star Wars, temptation to use one's powers for personal gain leads to the dark side of the Force. Luke is in a vulnerable state during his training when he tells Yoda that he can feel the Force, Yoda warns, "but you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force"(Star Wars, 1980). Buddhism also warns about the untrained mind trying to tap into the powers of enlightenment. An untrained person trying to channel energies he does not understand can burn out his nervous system. Yoda warns that the dark side will temp Luke to use his powers in anger, fear, and aggression. Indeed, Darth Vader tells Luke that if he joins the Dark side they can rule the entire galaxy as father and son. This temptation is a major moment in Luke's life. George Lucas explains the importance of temptation in his interview:
Moyers (Interviewer): "When Darth Vader tempts Luke to come over to the Empire side, offering him all that the Empire had to offer, I am taken back to the story of Satan taking Christ to the mountain and offering him the kingdoms of the world, if only he will turn away from his mission.
LUCAS: "Yes. That story also has been retold. Buddha was tempted in the same way. It is all through mythology. The gods are constantly tempting. Everybody and everything and the temptation obviously is the temptation to go to the dark side" (Bos, Rogier).
George Lucas is correct in stating the role temptation plays in the Buddhist life. When the Buddha was in Vipassana meditation, trying to attain Nirvana under the Bodhi tree, Mara the god of the underworld attempts to distract and temp him away from his goal. The Buddha is successful on denying the temptation of Mara just as Luke Skywalker turns away the offers of Darth Vader and the powers of the Dark Side.
Temptation and Karma are closely related in Star Wars. In Buddhism, Karma is a type of universal justice. Under the rules of Karma, for everything you do there is a consequence. If you perform evil then evil will find you. Karma is important because your Karma determines the type of life you are reincarnated into. Bad Karma equals a lower reincarnation while good karma is rewarded by a higher reincarnation. In Buddhism, it is important to be good and pure in order to build good Karma. In the Dhammapada, a collection of writings that illustrate the Buddhist moral system, it is written, "Do not what is evil. Do what is good. Keep your mind pure. This is the teaching of the Buddha" (Dhammapada.183). Buddhist's will not use violent means to stop injustice in the world. They will not use evil to conquer evil. The Buddha taught this when he said, "For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is law eternal" (Dhammapada.5). This is also the law of the Jedi in Star Wars. Luke is told that hate, anger, and aggression lead to the dark side. Luke asks Yoda how he will be able to tell the good side from the bad and Yoda answers, "You will know. When you are calm, at peace, and passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack" (Star Wars 1980). Jedi's cannot use evil means in order to battle the dark side or they will, essentially, only be hurting themselves. As Buddhists would see it, they would be hurting their own Karma. Luke learns his lesson of karma the hard way. While training with Yoda he is sent into a cave laden with essences of the dark side and evil. Luke asks Yoda what is in the cave and Yoda responds, "Only what you take with you...your weapons you will not need them." (Star Wars 1980) Luke does not understand what Yoda is trying to say and brings his weapons with him. Upon entering the cave, Luke is suddenly confronted by an image of Darth Vader. Luke panics and attacks Vader, decapitating him. When the face in the helmet is revealed Luke realizes that it is not Vader's face but his own face looking back at him. Luke realizes that he has failed. He realizes that if he continues to use hate and anger than he is only killing his good self and becoming Darth Vader. Luke learns his lesson by the end of the trilogies and defeats the Emperor and Vader by throwing away his Light sabre, a tool of defense for the Jedi Knights, although it will probably cost him his life. It is at this moment that he becomes a true Jedi. Luke keeps a clear and calm mind against all the efforts of the Emperor to create hate and anger in him. The dark side cannot touch Luke. The Dhammapada states, "the man who has no evil cannot be hurt by evil" (124). It takes Luke many failures to realize this and become a Jedi. Ultimately, like Buddhist's, Jedi's believe that evil can be overcome only through goodness.
It is clear that in creating the rules for his religion in Star Wars, George Lucas borrows on many of the core beliefs in Buddhism. The Force, in essence, is very similar to the force of Brahmin. I feel that the only two core beliefs in Buddhism that are left alone in Star Wars are the notions of Duhkha and reincarnation. It would be interesting to examine how other religions might parallel Star Wars, as George Lucas admits that he has borrowed from many religions. I think that basing the rules of his universe in Buddhism gave the movies a great deal of depth. This movie makes a profound statement about good and evil concepts and is much deeper than just great action and amazing special affects.
Works Cited
Mascaro, Juan. (trans). The Dhammapada/ The Path of Perfection New York: Penguin Books. 1973.
Robinson, Richard & Johnson, Willard. The Buddhist Religion/ A Historical Introduction 4th ed. Wadsworth Publishing Company. 1997.
*Movies on Video
Lucas, George (written/directed). Star Wars/ episode IV A Lucasfilm Ltd. Production. 1977.
Lucas, George (written/directed). The Empire Strikes Back/ episode V A Lucasfilm Ltd. Production. 1980.
Lucas, George (written/directed). The Return of the Jedi/ episode VI A Lucasfilm Ltd. Production. 1983.
*Internet Sources
Bos Rogier. The Theology of Star Wars http://www.next-wave.org/may99/starwars.htm
George Lucas, The Star Wars Saga http://home10.inet.tele.dk/terra/star_wars.html