I was reading today about a physics theory known as the "holographic universe" theory, and immediately I could see parallels between this theory and the "Force" of the Star Wars movies.

In a nutshell, the holographic universe theory says that the universe we see around us is just a projection of some other reality in another dimension, where the matter of the universe is more interconnected. Here's a description of its implications...

"In addition to its phantom like nature, such a universe would possess other rather startling features. If the apparent separateness of subatomic particles is illusory, it means that at a deeper level of reality all things in the universe are infinitely interconnected. The electrons in a carbon atom in the human brain are connected to the subatomic particles that comprise every salmon that swims, every heart that beats, and every star that shimmers in the sky. Everything interpenetrates everything, and although human nature may seek to categorize and pigeonhole and subdivide the various phenomena of the universe, all apportionments are of necessity artificial and all of nature is ultimately a seamless web."

That is pretty much a description of "The Force" from Star Wars.

So is Buddahism.

Nobody tell George Lucas - I think you just spoiled the plot for Episode-Whatever that's coming out soon...

Is that still around? I read a book with that title back in the 90s. It was interesting, but the test of any theory is whether the model can predict behaviour. Curious if you have a link.

Is that still around? I read a book with that title back in the 90s. It was interesting, but the test of any theory is whether the model can predict behaviour. Curious if you have a link.

Yes, it is still around. I've read about the idea when it came to information theory and blackholes. What really happens at the event horizon of a blackhole. Big Bang Theory also tends to be pretty current even having a physicist on pay as a consultant and Leonard discussed this idea with Penny a few seasons back.

So is Buddahism.

While there is an obvious eastern influence with the Jedi (flying Samurai/monks) and thus possiby some Buddhism connections, I don't see Buddhism's life-death cycle of suffering while striving for enlightenment having much connection with this:

In a nutshell, the holographic universe theory says that the universe we see around us is just a projection of some other reality in another dimension, where the matter of the universe is more interconnected. Here's a description of its implications...

I guess what I'm trying to say is Jedi and "Buddhist warrior monk" have obvious connections. But, the teachings of Buddha versus what the Force is have about the same connections as most other modern world religious teachings and the Force. IMO.

So is Buddahism.

While there is an obvious eastern influence with the Jedi (flying Samurai/monks) and thus possiby some Buddhism connections, I don't see Buddhism's life-death cycle of suffering while striving for enlightenment having much connection with this:

In a nutshell, the holographic universe theory says that the universe we see around us is just a projection of some other reality in another dimension, where the matter of the universe is more interconnected. Here's a description of its implications...

I guess what I'm trying to say is Jedi and "Buddhist warrior monk" have obvious connections. But, the teachings of Buddha versus what the Force is have about the same connections as most other modern world religious teachings and the Force. IMO.

The force has clear connections to Buddhism that other religions don't, however what you have pointed out as not being buddhist is in fact not. You are correct? (not sure why this was a thing worth correcting, Lucas has made connections to the Jedi order, the force, and Buddhism? I have too little give a **** to provide references, take it or leave it.) What you have quoted above is an example of Plato and the perfect 'Idea.'

My point was simply that the force (and many modern physics theories) is not a new idea, connections can be found throughout. Sorry If I wasn't clear enough for you.

The force has clear connections to Buddhism that other religions don't,

Care to elaborate?

Christopher I read your response as somewhat hostile. My response was not meant to be read as hostile. I was just giving my opinion as you did.

If you replace "Jedi" & "Samurai Buddhist/Shinto monk" with the "force" & "Buddhism" in your quote above, I actually completely agree with you. It was Force being compared to the religion of Buddhism itself I've found lacking.

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I'm not sure you were getting what I was saying. I wasn't denying a comparison between Jedi and eastern culture monks. I was denying that there was much connection between the "religious" aspects of the Force itself with the religious tenants (not the warrior monks) of Buddhism itself.

You specifically stated that Buddhism was also a description of the Force, like the OP which was about scientific speculation. Nowhere in the OP is anything resembling Buddhism.

In my posts above I described that while I thought Jedi themselves can easily be compared to some sort of Samurai/EasternMonk hybrid, I clearly pointed out that I didn't agree (IMO) that the Force itself could be so clearly compared to the Buddhist religion itself. There are about as many similarities between the "living Force" and Christianity as there are with it and Buddhism. If my wife was a Star Wars nut (she loves it, but not a nut like me) she could elaborate a little better then me since she was born and raised a Buddhist and later became a Christian. She was dumbfounded when I asked for her opinion on the Force-Buddhism connection. She did agree that Jedi reminded her of the Japanese anime & movie flying warrior monks she grew up with, just not with the Force-Buddhism connection. With GL's love of the Seven Samurai, I'm guessing that is why he also made/created the comparison of Samurai monks with Jedi, even if the connection with Force and the religious tenants themselves are a stretch.

ETA: Stuff.

While the spiritual aspects of Star Wars are very much a mix of many religions and philosophies, the Force itself is a more-or-less pantheistic (or perhaps panentheistic) idea.

- Seeing all of life, even all of existence, as really one whole instead of actually being many parts is a key tenet of several Eastern religions, most notably Hinduism and Buddhism.

- The idea of becoming "one with the Force" after death could be paralleled with Nirvana or Brahma.

- Also, the Jedi code promoting deattachment is in line with the Buddhist mentality of purging desire.

-"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering" is in essence a Buddhistic proverb. You could contrast the idea that fear is of the Dark Side with Abrahamic faiths, where the fear (in a sense) of God is lauded, and where there is a place for righteous anger against evil.

Just a few examples for starters.

- The idea of becoming "one with the Force" after death could be paralleled with Nirvana or Brahma.

Force spirits could also be compared to Chirstian "angels".

Or compared to the celibate and monastic Catholic priesthood.

-"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering" is in essence a Buddhistic proverb. You could contrast the idea that fear is of the Dark Side with Abrahamic faiths, where the fear (in a sense) of God is lauded, and where there is a place for righteous anger against evil.

Fear leads to anger....or turn the other cheek. Dark side is evil (satanic, sith warrior with horns, etc) and the Light side is good (angelic after death spirits).

-Anakin didn't have a father. He was the Chosen One of the Force. Obvious Jesus parallels.

-Darth Vader turning to the dark side then redeeming himself is a very Christian theme. Saved again?

-Being tempted by the "dark side" of the Force (by the Emperor/Satan) is another Christian theme.

While the Jedi themselves obviously borrow from eastern culture (just look at their robes), the concept of the Force itself can be seen to draw from many different religious backgrounds, not just Eastern ones.

Edited. Too confrontational.

While it may be worthwhile to debate individual points (let me know if you'd like to continue that discussion), I think you (Sturn) may be missing the point that was trying to be made about the Buddhist connection.

It's not that the spirituality present in Star Wars is solely Buddhistic, or even Eastern. There are clear elements of other faiths, Christianity among them. The elements of redemption, the 'Chosen One', etc., are there, as you pointed out.

However, the general Western religions and philosophies have, as part of their ontology, the idea that things are separated. Christianity holds to an individual soul, distinct from each other and the rest of creation. A rock, a tree, a star, etc., are made up of distinct particles and are discrete, separate from each other in a meaningful way.

From Eastern/pantheistic perspective, all things are just 'outcroppings' of the larger whole. The distinction between things is merely an illusion. We are all but parts of the universal It. That is the idea of the Force the OP was talking about, and it is very different from the general Western worldview.

Look up Reiki. Pretty much Force Heal. Which is why I am a Reiki 1!!

While it may be worthwhile to debate individual points (let me know if you'd like to continue that discussion), I think you (Sturn) may be missing the point that was trying to be made about the Buddhist connection.

It's not that the spirituality present in Star Wars is solely Buddhistic, or even Eastern. There are clear elements of other faiths, Christianity among them. The elements of redemption, the 'Chosen One', etc., are there, as you pointed out.

However, the general Western religions and philosophies have, as part of their ontology, the idea that things are separated. Christianity holds to an individual soul, distinct from each other and the rest of creation. A rock, a tree, a star, etc., are made up of distinct particles and are discrete, separate from each other in a meaningful way.

From Eastern/pantheistic perspective, all things are just 'outcroppings' of the larger whole. The distinction between things is merely an illusion. We are all but parts of the universal It. That is the idea of the Force the OP was talking about, and it is very different from the general Western worldview.

Thanks again, cvtheoman. So much more eloquent and non-confrontational than I put it.