Luke Skywalker: How am I to know the good side from the bad?
Master Yoda: You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defence, never for attack.
(From the movie ‘The Empire Strikes Back’)
The wisdom of Master Yoda from the Star Wars series of films is full of Zen. Indeed, the way of the Jedi is not dissimilar in many ways to the Way of the Buddha. A serene and focused mind is vital to the training of both the Buddhist monk and the Jedi knight; in the still heart we can know what is right and what is not. Then, when questions arise regarding the practice of the Way, the answer will come up from the depths of the void within, and, like Yoda, truly wise will we be.
6 comments:
Yes, dharma is everywhere!
Unfortunately, most of us are blind to the fact that the Dharma is everywhere, though, aren't we, Solitaire?
Thankfully, there are explicit descriptions of the Dharma not only by the Buddha and his spiritual descendants, but also by such characters as Master Yoda, albeit in a fictitious setting.
G
True - perhaps that's because our minds are busy consuming all the sights, sounds, tastes and sensations around us without mindfulness. The mind cannot see clearly when its full of distractions, flitting around like a butterfly. When our minds remain still and unwavering, even for the briefest moment, dharma is right before us...
...And this is the usefulness of explicit teachings as found in the words of Zen masters, forest masters, and even Jedi masters.
When the mind is a flitting butterfly, it can be jolted back into this moment by such wise teachings as the above masters have given.
May we all be open to the Dharma!
G
I read somewhere that Yoda, even his physical appearance, was modeled after a real life Thai buddhist master.
Perhaps you're aware of who that model is?
Not wishing to be disrespectful to the late, great Ajahn Chah, but there's a bit of a resemblance there! Whether or not Master Yoda was modelled on this particular Thai master or not, I know do not!
Be well in the Force (Dharma),
G.
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