Buddhism in the Matrix Movies
...sion, or Maya. Neo has woken up from his goo filled pod to see the real world of machines that enslaved the humans. Morpheus also makes reference to the fact that the matrix is, "a prison for your mind." When Neo is visiting the Oracle he meets a young boy dressed in a monks robe. The young boy teaches Neo that, to bend the spoon he must first realize there is no spoon. To change the world around us, you must first change your own mind. Neo's waking up from the matrix also hints at birth, death, and re-birth. In the beginning of the movie Neo is Mr. Anderson, a computer programmer who fits in with the system. When Mr. Anderson takes the red pill he is reborn as Neo, a crew member of the Nebuchandnezzar and awakened in a sense. At the end of the movie Neo is shot to death by Agent Smith, thus dying, and coming back to life, being reborn again. Neo's final rebirth has made him stronger, like Buddha, his enlightenment has now given him powers (in the matrix). Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, and the other members of the Nebuchandnezzar also reflect that of bodhisattvas. They willingly go back and forth from the matrix and the real world liberating those still trapped within. Neo holds more importance though than that of just a bodhisattva, Neo embodies Buddha. Neo is 'The One,' he has been foretold by the oracle to ha...