The Matrix + Buddhism Blog #16

The Matrix

The Matrix is an incredible movie. Every scene secures the audience stay and engage them in an all-out adventure. Neo, the main character of the movie, is considered as "the one" who will rescue Morpheus and the A.I. But before anything happen, Neo had to make a choice. He meets Morpheus for the first time and were given the choice of choosing between swallowing a red pill or a blue pill. The red pill will throw Neo into a world he does not have the slightest knowledge about, heading to a whole lot of suffering. Or the blue pill, letting Neo keep control over his life. Basically returning to his previous life where Neo was a computer hacker. Obviously Neo takes the red pill, setting the whole movie into motion. But why did Neo take the red pill instead of the blue pill? This is where the four noble truth comes in.

The four noble truth of the Buddhism religion states that"All life is suffering" and that all suffering is caused by your desires. but knowing what the suffering is and letting go of all your desires, will then usher a new and eternal peace. Neo choosing the red pill made him realize what his suffering was. Neo now need to let go of his desires. his desire was to believe that he is the one to keep control of his life. Neo let go of this desire when he died during the battle with the agent. He got reborn as some sort of "god" and realized that he can not be the one who control his life but destiny does. Neo is shown at the end of the movie, walking toward his path of peace. 

Neo finally recieves his "peace" at the end of the movie. But would it not be easier if he had taken the blue pill instead is a different story. The Buddhist teaching states that everyone will have suffering in their life. So instead of Neo running away, he choose to fight it head-on and try to make it to the top. Fighting for his eternal peace. 

Which would you choose?

The red pill or the blue pill?

Groundhog Day + The Five Stages of Grief Blog #15

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day was a very interesting movie. The movie follows a weatherman name Phil going to a place call Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day festival. Phil though hate the day because he despise the idea that a groundhog can actually tell you whether or not there will be an early spring or another 6 weeks of winter. After the day was over and they were trying to return back home. A snow storm came out of nowhere, forcing them to spend a night there. But then something awful happens. The following morning Phil wakes up, thinking that today he will be able to finally make it back home. But the radio station announces that that day is Groundhog day. Feeling confused he goes on with his day realizing that everything that was happening to him already happening. Where the time loop begins. Phil throughout the movie demonstrated the five stages of grief which is denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Stage #1- Denial
Waking up everyday and still denying that this can't be happening. Only later in the movie is where he realizes that Groundhog Day is repeating.

Stage #2 - Anger
He got fed up with the repeat of Groundhog's Day and stole the actual groundhog. Ending with both him and the groundhog of the cliff.

Stage #3 - Bargaining
When he gave money to the guy on the street. Phil started started helping other people. Thinking that ff he does a good amount of good deeds, the repeat will end.

Stage #4 - Depression
Phill started feeling depressed when he learned everything he ever wanted. Realizing that Groundhog Day would repeat itself,  he does not find anything enjoyable anymore.

Stage #5 - Acceptance
When he start learning the piano. Phil accepted the fact that this they will never end. Putting it in good use and start learning thing that he usually does not had time for before.

Phil releasing his anger