*"Samsara" in Buddhism and The Matrix*

Shima Limbu

Eng 101

                                                                “Samsara” in Buddhism

                Samsara in Buddhist terms relates with the concept of the cycle of life, and the movement of continuous flowing within our daily lives; however it is said that this long cycle can only be stopped through nirvana, or by being enlightened.  It seems as though this form of cycle isn’t about being stopped but rather to escape this, one has to face nirvana and become enlightened.  This “samsara“believe in Buddhism was derived by the founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, who came about this idea from the Hindu believe of reincarnation.  The term “samsara” has also become translated as endless suffering, cyclic existence, perpetual wandering etc…

                These vague definitions of the term “samsara” in Buddhism could becomes relative to the whole idea from the concept of; The Matrix. Well, there are a lot of reasons that these two concepts can be relative, however the main fact being that the term “samsara” in Buddhism is believed by a certain amount of individuals, while The Matrix, is just another science-fiction movie.  The Matrix, somehow relates with every individuals thoughts because the idea of “samsara” comes along,because there are many that believe in the term “samsara” or basically the fact that there are many budhhist believers. It is the clear fact that relating something of reality strikes every mind, and makes every human being relate with reality and their own life. And that is the main factor in the story of; The Matrix.  The fact that it triggers everyone’s mind is basically because it questions many individuals about the whole system of life, and its whole system of existence. This relates with the term”;samsara”, due to the fact that it is said to be a whole cyclic existence, just a cycle of human beings being born and death coming along , seems like a whole computer generated system. Thus, when a human being becomes old, their energy in the batteries run out and then death comes along to get rid of all the retired batteries.

                The climax of the movie, The Matrix, is the question whether human beings want to become awaken form the “matrix” world, kind of like the only escape in the matrix is for one to accept and awaken form their long sleep. Thus, the term “samsara”, plays a part due to the fact that the Buddhist believes that the only escape form “samsara” is for one to reach nirvana, or become enlightened.  Including the fact that one has to get rid of all their wild desires, as comparison to the movie, the matrix, when the characters have nothing luxurious to eat, but just nutrients to keep them alive. The irony is astounding as much as the similarities, between the whole concept of “samsara” in Buddhism and the movie, The Matrix.

*The Picture of Dorain Gray~ First Draft~*

Shima Limbu

                                                 The Picture of Dorian Gray Draft

The main theme that we have to connect with the novel, the picture of Dorian Gray, is imagination. The word imagination is referred to something that is out of human reach, possibly something that is all in the mind, external objects that do not cohesive with our senses and our reality, and lastly the ability for our mind to become creative through the process of imagining.

            The novel, the picture of Dorian gray could possibly have a connection with imagination and the basic object is the title itself, the picture of Dorian gray. In the novel, Dorian simply grows to become obsessed with image, and that being his own. Thus, due to the assistance of Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian goes through the journey of imagining his life as he reads the fictional novel recommended by his dear friend Lord Henry Wotton.

            Thus, Dorian’s imagination starts to grow as much as him, he believes himself to be the “hero” of every act, possibly Romeo to every Juliet, and that causes Sibyl Vane’s death to be just an act of sacrifice for the love of the handsomest man alive, Dorian. His imaginations leads him to believe that certain people are meant to make sacrifices for a man that deserves it all, and that all because of his image, the picture of Dorian Gray.

            Thus, the imagination of Dorian’s mind, leads him to make sinful deeds and become a vulgar individual. This also plays with the part of influence, Lord Henry Wotton enters Dorian’s innocent life and makes it open up to poisonous things, however, Dorian sticks to Lord Henry because of his very own understanding that he craves and is hungry for the things uttered out of Lord Henry’s mind. This plays into the character of Dorian Gray and his mindset; he always imagined to have the life that he never had, and wanted to make it reality. However, it is the basic fact that imagination cannot become reality, and if your imagination becomes poisonous, then there is no escape to run away from the dangers of the mind.

            Thus, Dorian becomes as poisonous as his mindset, maybe something that he always wanted to hide. Dorian’s mindset can also relate with the fact that he wanted to maintain his “good boy” image, something that he knew that he was not, deep inside his soul. His innocence from his looks could hide the devil in him. And meeting Lord Henry Wotton, he became the person that he always wanted to be, a devious human being. Imagination plays a huge role in part of Dorian’s imagination that actually turned into reality. The pros and cons of society is the fact that a character like Dorian would not be judged for any sins committed because one thing; His image.

            This leads to the painting of Dorian Gray, It could have also been the mere fact that Dorian’s sins could not actually be shown in the painting, but it is just Dorian that sights his sins from the painting itself. And his sins could be revealed to others because he wants his sins to be shown only through the painting, but not through him, and his body.  The painting could be a metaphor as something of a diary, something that is meant to be hidden but can still be seen by others if it is shown. Just like the ending chapters, when Dorian decides to show Basil his sins, it became shown all throughout the painting. It might have been just Dorian’s imagination that became reality through the painting. Maybe the painting never changed, it could be the mere fact that Dorian somehow wanted to throw all his sins into the painting of himself, thus, it actually became reality, and revealed. His imagination became reality, thus, causing his very own life.