Buddhism in The Matrix Reloaded
When I started writing this I didnt actually think there was much of a connection with Buddhism in Reloaded, but as I watched the film over again I couldnt help but notice it in practically every scene. ... 1 This I think was another clear indication by the Wachowski brothers to show at the beginning of the film that Neo has fully completed his rebirth process that we see happen at the end of the first matrix installment, and is now well on his way to fulfilling the path of the One. I started looking into Buddhism around the same time as I started studying Kung fu; many people say that you really have to have an understanding of Buddhism when you are practicing to really reach the higher levels of the art. In Reloaded we see Neo, and Morpheus for that matter, reach the peak of their martial art ability, with Neo able to defend himself against dozens of Smiths, and Morpheus (with a little help from Niobie and Ghost), actually beating an agent for the first time in history "everyone who has stood their ground against an agent has died" Morpheus, M1 This means that the team must by now have a good understanding of their environment and a good development of wisdom about the foundations of the matrix system Going to only about 20 minutes into the movie, the crew of the Neb return to Zion and go down a lift, when they arrive at their floor, the forehead left, only to see the path is blocked by quite a few people wearing predominantly white shirts, they decide to turn right instead and take another route. ... And as the Oracle says in Enter the matrix "truth is, the path of the one is made by the many" We see Zion in a whole new light in Reloaded, we knew it was the last human city, but we didnt know what it was like, how many people were there or anything, in a way I believe Zion can be likened to what is called a Sangha, which relates to a community of Buddhist monks and nuns, all following the Buddhas teaching and seeking enlightenment, they stay together as they are effectively working towards the same goal.