Non-Prophet

Sukhavagga

Dhammapada 192-200:

How very happily we live, free from hostility among those who are hostile. Among hostile people, free from hostility we dwell. How very happily we live, free from misery among those who are miserable. Among miserable people, free from misery we dwell. How very happily we live, free from busyness among those who are busy. Among busy people, free from busyness we dwell. How very happily we live, we who have nothing. We will feed on rapture like the Radiant gods.

On Anger

Put anger away, abandon pride, overcome every selfish attachment, cling not to Mind and Body and thus be free from sorrow.

One, who controls his anger when aroused, is like a clever driver who controls a fast going carriage; the others are like those who merely hold the reins.

Conquer the angry man by love; conquer the ill-natured man by goodness; conquer the miser with generosity; conquer the liar with truth. - The Buddha

On Belief

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true." - Siddhartha Gotama

The Jedi and The Buddha

I caught Star Wars Episode III Thursday morning. I went with the food critic crew from work and I loved the movie. The acting was a bit weak, the dialogue could have been much better but hey, it's Star Wars! All told it was a fantastic conclusion to the series, and a feast for the eyes. There were so many little things in the film that answered questions I didn't even bother to previously think about.

I watched all of the previous flicks recently, and especially in episodes I-III I've noticed an amazing parallel between Jedi and Buddhist philosophy. More than just a coicendence, it is obvious that George Lucas has modeled Jedi thought after the teachings of Siddhartha Gotama.