Padme Amidala and other connections
14 years 8 months ago #25361
by Garm
Padme Amidala and other connections was created by Garm
Frederick Brenion beautifully illustrates the connection between Star Wars and Buddhism in these excerpts from his internet article, Jedi-Shinshu.
...it is when we first meet Yoda that we are struck by the similarities between him and the examples and teachings of many Zen-masters. Later in “Phantom Menace” we meet Padme Amidala, whose name; Padme is that of “Lotus” from the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum,” and Amidala, a feminine form for the Buddha Amida, the central figure in Pure Land beliefs. But it is in \"Attack of the Clones\" that we receive the strongest signal yet of the centrality of Buddhist thought in the Jedi. In a discussion Padme asks Anakin if Jedi are even allowed to \"love,\" He says: \"Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi’s life, so you might say we’re encouraged to love.\"
...it is when we first meet Yoda that we are struck by the similarities between him and the examples and teachings of many Zen-masters. Later in “Phantom Menace” we meet Padme Amidala, whose name; Padme is that of “Lotus” from the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum,” and Amidala, a feminine form for the Buddha Amida, the central figure in Pure Land beliefs. But it is in \"Attack of the Clones\" that we receive the strongest signal yet of the centrality of Buddhist thought in the Jedi. In a discussion Padme asks Anakin if Jedi are even allowed to \"love,\" He says: \"Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi’s life, so you might say we’re encouraged to love.\"
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