The idea of the Matrix is that humans are cultivated by machines for power and the machines have programmed every individuals life.
Well, if we relate this concept with our lives, ...it sounds familiar right?
Well, if we relate this concept with our lives, ...it sounds familiar right?
We pray to God because we believe we He controls our lives.. that our fate is in His hands. Yet, Hindu faith believes that the source of God's power is our faith and our prayers..
Paradoxical isn't it???
Paradoxical isn't it???
There are some other common Hindu beliefs that I find self-contradictory.. I have put them down...
1. We say a marriage is an affirmation for 7 births' worth of togetherness .
What I don't understand is that.. if in every successive generation we were born Hindu, and we affirm our togetherness for the next seven births...where does this cycle end?
What I don't understand is that.. if in every successive generation we were born Hindu, and we affirm our togetherness for the next seven births...where does this cycle end?
2. We believe in rebirth i.e. that the soul or the 'atma' just changes the body after death like we would a piece of clothing.
So if that is the case then why do we do 'pindh dan' ? Pindh dan, for the uninformed is a rite which is observed/followed so our ancestors' souls could rest in peace.
But, if the soul has found another body... whither peace??
And if the soul has attained nirvana... whither soul!!!! it is now one with the Paramatman....
Paradox again!!!
It is a universal belief that meditation or penance leads to salvation....
If we try to understand idea of salvation.... it could be simply described as the freedom from the cycle of life and death!! birth and rebirth....
Isn't that what the movie was all about......
Freedom from the ' Matrix'!
That's super neat isn't it!!!
So if that is the case then why do we do 'pindh dan' ? Pindh dan, for the uninformed is a rite which is observed/followed so our ancestors' souls could rest in peace.
But, if the soul has found another body... whither peace??
And if the soul has attained nirvana... whither soul!!!! it is now one with the Paramatman....
Paradox again!!!
It is a universal belief that meditation or penance leads to salvation....
If we try to understand idea of salvation.... it could be simply described as the freedom from the cycle of life and death!! birth and rebirth....
Isn't that what the movie was all about......
Freedom from the ' Matrix'!
That's super neat isn't it!!!
1 comment:
I have some thoughts on your thoughts....
"We Pray to god....."
There a little known book by a not so well known fantasy fiction author called Terry Pratchett. The book is called 'Small Gods'. The basic premise of the book is that gods are basically entities which are fuelled by people's belief's. The more people who believe in a god... the greater is his power... In this particular story, there is a god 'OM'. He has lost all his powers even though his religion is the greatest on earth. the reason being... from worshiping the god... people have move to worshiping the accessories or the framing shell of the god... And I think thats whats happening to Hinduism. We no longer believe or pray to the God. But all the things that indicate god... Its not a paradox... more of a symbiotic existence really...
"We say marriage...."
I think you shouldn't take it as literally as it sounds.... There was a nice interpretation of this point which someone once told me... It is like you go through seven stages in your life (this life itself) after marriage... 1. responsibility to each other's families 2. responsibility to each other 3. responsibility to your children 4. responsibility to the neighbors/countrymen 5.responsibility to your workplace 6. responsibility to your religion/Dharma and 7. responsibility to your ancestors. The contention is that in each of these you adopt different roles... hence leading separate lives.... and you pledge to stay together in through this.... This is just one interpretation... I think the best part of Hinduism is the freedom of interpretation it allows....
"We believe in rebirth....."
As for this point... I think it was devised by a really shrewd poor fellow who found out a way to have a free meal real easy... :D As far as I understand (from what people tell me... you should read the Garuda puranam to actually get it or so they tell me) There are many levels of existence.... unlike the absolutes you've depicted herein... To make an analogy of the clothes example... its like you remove a dress and wear a towel or robe or something before you put another dress on... only there are many kinds of robes/towels (Please excuse my bad example)... And its for those stages that you do this pind dhan... another contention is that it helps you in your rebirth also... basically if you are a reincarnation of your great grandpa... then all the pindh dhan you parents and you do for ancestors is really all coming back to you in terms of good fortune and prosperity... Once again open to interpretation...
As for the matrix.. wikipedia is your friend... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influences_and_interpretations_of_The_Matrix
And google is GOD...!!! :)
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