The stereotype in this is a rather positive one and one I sort of held to some degree, though not as an entirely serious belief. Yoda is the epitome of what a lot of people expect a "Zen Master" to be like; he looks the part and talks the part. Yoda's ancient body is clad in robes and he can often be found meditating or dispencing emmence wisdom through his teachings. He is like a true Zen Master in that he seeks to teach people the truth, by unlearning what they have learned* (he says this very thing in the clip). However, he is presented as this profound, far-more-powerful-than-you'll-ever-be teacher who is without any obvious flaws or vices. This is itself a stereotype to which Brad Warner responds "it is essential that we give up the notion of teachers as gods and learn to regard them as ordinary people with ordinary needs" (pg. 219). He addresses this idea early on in the book as well, in fact it is in the introduction, so it kind of begins and ends on the same point-"this idea of the 'enlightened being,' of which the teacher was supposed to be an example...that the teacher was a kind of Christ-like paranormal creature with powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary people" (pg. XII).
On a lighter note, Yoda wears robes as his normal attire. Buddhist monks wear an entire ensemble of robes (pg. 132) but Warner, though a teacher, says he “feels comfortable and normal in T-shirts...and when [he wears] Zen robes [he feels] like a guy at a Halloween party dressed as a monk” (pg.124). That in and of itself is an illustration of Western stereotypes of Buddhist monks/Zen Masters, not all of them wear robes all the time but most Westerners would be shocked to see them in jeans and a T-shirt. Warner does go on further though to say that the robe/ceremonial dress is important at times because “there is no Zen without ceremony and ritual,” it just isn’t necessary all the time (pg. 128). To sum up my spiel, Yoda is a relatively perfect example of a Zen Master/Buddhist monk stereotype.
*For those of you who have started reading the Dalai Lama book, this is a very important theme and essential to understanding the reality of Tibetan Buddhist thought
*For those of you who have started reading the Dalai Lama book, this is a very important theme and essential to understanding the reality of Tibetan Buddhist thought
You make a good point about the modes of dress in Buddhism. In the West, I think that many people, upon meeting a person like Brad who says he is a Buddhist but is wearing a t-shirt and jeans, would scoff and think "This guy is some hipster poser who wants me to think he's deep." Without the orange robes and shaved head, he obviously can't be a Buddhist...right? Many people seem to be using this clothing stereotype as the basis for their postings, but I think that your discussion of the thought process of the Buddhist is also important, and I had never really thought about Yoda or the Jedi as Buddhist figures until now.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love how you chose Yoda as your stereotype! I thought about doing him also, I'm so happy someone chose him because I also agree with everything you said about his comparisons(it's all so obvious with the robes and the meditating!). I think you show a great understanding of Brads writings with comparison to your stereotype! Love you're postings and love the stereotype:)
ReplyDeleteAmber and Brad Warner make a very good point about how people tend to think of Buddhist monks as "God Like", when really they are just normal humans with no super powers and they have flaws just like we do. Brad Warner is more than willing to admit his flaws and he does not try to lead people into thinking he is super human. This video is an good example of Yoda talking about using him mind to do something rather than his body. However, Yoda does have super powers when he lifts the plan out of the water,(not shown in this part of the clip) which may lead people to believe that they do perhaps have powers.
ReplyDeleteI do not consider Warner to be a real Zen Master. His book is extremely judgmental. For example, he criticizes other Buddhist groups in America, that they are not correct and so on. His book is full of irony, but Irony is the part of Ignorance. Buddhist would recognize that the reality is a mirror of himself, he would not criticize others, but instead he would think what this experience would teach him. Everything is positive.
ReplyDeleteIn contrary, what Yoda teaches is absolute correct. Just try it... I agree, it is so great that you chose Yoda as example.
I love that you chose Yoda as your stereotype! I didn't even think about it until I saw it, but he is definitely a perfect example of a Zen master. You had a great analysis of the stereotype that these Buddhist masters are in some way super-human. That was a point that had stood out to me as well while reading Zen Wrapped in Karma, and it's cool that you found such a great way to illustrate it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone above, SO cool you thought of Yoda. You're completely right by comparing his dress and mannerisms are very similar to Buddhism.
ReplyDeleteI also agree when you say it is a positive stereotype not because yoda is the shit, but because he's wise and not far off from what a buddhist would be.