Although the existence of Christian styles is strong within the Matrix, the influence of Buddhism is every bit effective and apparent. Indeed, the fundamental philosophical premises that drive major plot points could be nearly incomprehensible with no little background knowledge of Buddhism and Buddhist doctrines. So against this background are the Matrix and also the Matrix Reloaded Buddhist movies?
Probably the most apparent and fundamental Buddhist theme is the fundamental principle that our life on the planet according to the Matrix films, what many people think about as "reality" is really some type of computer-produced simulation. This seems to align carefully with Buddhist doctrine that the world was we all know is "
Maya" or illusion, which we should get out of in order to be able to achieve enlightenment. Indeed, based on Buddhist concepts the greatest problem that faces humanity is our lack of ability to see our way through this illusion.
You will find also numerous more short references to Buddhism in the films. Within The Matrix, Keanu Reeve's character Neo is assisted in the education concerning the character from the Matrix with a youthful boy outfitted within the garb of the Buddhist monk. He says to Neo that he should be aware that
"there's no spoon" and therefore our capability to alter the world around us is really dependent on our capability to change our very own minds.
A substantial conflict between Buddhism and the Matrix is that struggle between Gnosticism and the Matrix. Based on Buddhism, the thing for individuals who would like to avoid our planet of illusion would be to acquire a disembodied, immaterial existence - possibly one where even our perception of the baby-self continues to be overcome. Within the Matrix films, however, we seek to leave a disembodied existence inside a computer simulation and go back to an extremely material, very physical existence within the "real" world.
It appears obvious, then, the Matrix movies can't be referred to as Buddhist films - but the reality is they make extensive utilization of Buddhist styles and concepts. As the Matrix might not be the same as Maya and Keanu Reeve's character Neo might not be a Bodhisattva, the Wachowski siblings did deliberately incorporate facets of Buddhism to their story simply because they think that Buddhism has something to express to us about the world and how we conduct our way of life.
Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.
