Enlightenment!!!!!
I decided to research Dogen as Im not sure anyone has yet and came up with something…..it blows my theory out of the water if it has any basis but here goes.
Dogen – was a Japanese Zen Buddhist teacher born in Kyoto, and the founder of the Soto school of Zen in Japan after travelling to China and training under the Chinese Caodong lineage there. DÅgen is known for his extensive writing including the Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma or Shobogenzo, a collection of ninety-five fascicles concerning Buddhist practice and enlightenment.
‘Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma’ this got me thinking is there something more to this so I researched something mentioned called Dharma-nature. Which is also Buddha nature. This is what I found
Buddha-nature – “Buddha Element”, “Buddha-Principle”, but seems to have been used most frequently to translate the Sanskrit, meaning “Buddha Womb”, or Buddha Principle, is taught to be a truly real and pure, but internally hidden immortal potency or element within the mind of all beings, for awakening and becoming a Buddha. There are conflicting interpretations of the idea in Mahayanic philosophy. The idea may be traced to Abhidharmic thought, and ultimately to statements of the Buddha in the Nikayas. Other terms for the Buddha-nature are TathÄgatagarbha and Sugatagarbha.
There is a clear reference in the Anguttara Nikaya to a “luminous mind” present within all people, be they corrupt or pure, whether or not it itself is stained or pure. When it is “unstained,” it is supremely poised for Arahantship, and so could be conceived as the “womb” of the Aharant, for which a synonym is tathagata. The Lankavatara Sutra describes the tathagatagarbha (“Arahant womb”) as “by nature brightly shining and pure,” and “originally pure,” though “enveloped in the garments of the skhandhas, dhatus and ayatanas and soiled with the dirt of attachment, hatred, delusion and false imagining.” It is said to be “naturally pure,” but it appears impure as it is stained by adventitious defilements. Thus the Lankavatara Sutra identifies the luminous mind of the Canon with the tathagatagarbha. It also equates the tathagatagarbha with nirvana, though this is concerned with the actual attainment of nirvana as opposed to nirvana as a timeless phenomenon. The Canon does not support the identification of the “luminous mind” with nirvanic conciousness, though it plays a role in the realization of nirvana. Upon the destruction of the fetters, according to one scholar, “the shining nibbanic consciousness flashes out of the womb of arahantship, being without object or support, so transcending all limitations.”
This is making me believe that maybe Jacob and Smokey are just Buddhas that managed to ascend and that is why they are ageless etc. Smokey gave up on humans because they all just bring destruction and chaos instead of the peace that they enjoy. Another referal to this are the trees sre from Buddha communities… I cant remember what they are called but I remember that Buddha was famous for sitting under one meditating for hours. Then it made me think that they maybe aren’t Buddhas but were but found enlightenment. This got me thinking of another program I like ‘Stargate SG1’ in which Daniel Ascends when he finds enlightenment. However in Stargate there is an evil character who also manages this ‘Anubis’ coincidence? but he also appears as like a smokey type guy aswell. I haven’t got a full theory about this yet as like I said it blew my theory out the water but im going to keep reading into this and see where it leads me. What do you all think??????
Oh and I believe Jacob could have been Richards teacher in this art and helped him become age-less after I read this:-
Even though all Buddhas themselves were to search assiduously, they would not find a tathagata-garbha (Buddha-nature) that is not eternal, for the eternal dhatu, the buddha-dhatu (Buddha Principle, Buddha Nature), the dhatu adorned with infinite major and minor attributes, is present in all beings.
The eternality, unshakeability and changelessness of the Buddha-nature (often referred to as “Tathagatagarbha”) is also frequently stressed in the sutras which expound this Buddha Element. The Srimala Sutra, for example, says:
“The Tathagatagarbha is not born, does not die, does not transfer, does not arise. It is beyond the sphere of the characteristics of the compounded; it is permanent, stable and changeless.”
Just like Richard and Jacob right? This makes me think that Jacob will not come back as to stay enlightened after death you cannot transfer.
Maybe this is where smokey went wrong. He transferred and this Smokey form arose and started spreading the infection (started claiming people). Well maybe….I like the idea im gonna read more 😛
There are MANY similarities between themes of LOST and Buddhist Philosophy. (Hinduism as well) Just to help further your research a little….a few topics to read up on:
The Four Noble Truths (Buddhism) Think about the video Karl was watching when Sawyer, Kate, and Alex rescued him from the brainwashing room.
Rebirth (Buddhism)
Dependent Origination: (Buddhism) This similarity will be quite obvious when you read…
Dharma Wheel: (Buddhism) Dharma wheel looks a bit like the Frozen Donkey Wheel….
The Bhavacakra (Buddhism) Particularly the description of the center hub of this symbol….
Given the points you made in your theory, you may find these topics quite interesting…enjoy!
The thing is you can find a related story /theme within all religions/traditions, buddhism,hinduism, egyption and greek mythology, christianity i bet if i kept looking every nation i havent mentioned would have a similliar story, ive actually been reading up about ouroboros. as its something all of the above believe in in some form or another
Jenius is right, there are countless connections between every world religion and LOST, not to mention famous stories and books, i.e. Gilgamesh, the biblical story of Atlantis, the Odyssey, etc… But seeing as Carlton Cuse is a self proclaimed born-again Christian, and Damon Lindelof is Jewish, is think it is unlikely that they would base the entire show on Buddhist philosophy… they’ll reference it here an there no doubt, but they won’t base the whole show on it…
I dont think any of them have reached enlightenment in the true sense of the word. Ive read a lot about buddhism etc, nothing to do with lost just for reading and the only person on that island that may come close is perhaps Jacob? Although trying to change the way things are certainly doesnt sound to buddhist to me. Im not bagging your theory just sharing my thoughts on it.
I just wanted to point out that they have referenced a number of real important/famous people through the show i know Jeremy Bentham is one (lockes alter ego off island) and i cant think of the others off the top of my head, but theres a few perhaps dogen is just another way to bring in another famous persons name the way they kind of do that.
smokey = rogue
rogue = sarah palin
smokey = sarah palin
Lol Blakecomer…..I like it haha
I personally think if there is a connection to any religion or culture it is Egypt. All the signs are there. I was reading up on Atlantis and Plato wrote that the Egyptians knew about this island, and in fact that the Atlanteans had invaded and captured land around Egypt. Also, that the Atlanteans took its prisoners and used them as slaves. I really feel like some kind of Egypt-Atlantis connection is there somewhere.
katie – this was one of my first theorys on this site last year…..I was sure that the island was Atlantis and I followed its history back and read up loads but since there has been no reference to this been the case I gave up on it as a no hoper. I tried to translate some of the ruins in the temple the other day but cant make sense of them. one line says lady stand/mast sun. then on two ther lines there is the symbol that translates to a swimming pool but as not been an egyptologist I dont have a clue what the symbols together mean lol. I believe the place originated in egypt for sure as that seems to be the oldest thing on the island. ie temple and smokeys home. I also thought that smokey could be a dead egyptian evil god and is locked away in a tomb (just like in the mummy) and the smokey presence is his soul. I do think its getting a little late in the game to be holding back this type of information though so I’m not sure…I believe we will find out more about the island within the next 2-3 episodes as it would make sense that the losties will be told or find out when Locke turns up and is really smokey. Im not sure what to think anymore and am just going to watch the show and see what happens…..theorising this late in the game is tiring….I always wanted to find out the answer myself before it happens but you will never know until it does. Im happy with the theorys I have made and will be surprised if not one of them comes true. my dad however, bless him, rekons that in the last episode Locke or Jack will wake up on the plane holding a book on ancient egypt and it was all a dream….i’ve tried to argue the point that it will never happen but he wont have any of it lol…..although the producers stated they always knew how it would end….from the first episode how many different ways could it end really? I suppose what it comes down to is anything can happen it is a show and everyone always argue on peoples theorys that things couldn’t happen because it wouldn’t in real life…..im sorry but does that mean smokey could really exist? this is a show not real life and ANYTHING can happen if they want it too. Just like the ending of sopranos where everyone went mad because it was just a blank screen at the end and that was it. the producers were basically sticking one up to their audience because they could now the show was over…..i wouldn’t be surprised if Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof did the same thing. Once the shows over its over. Doing this will also make the most amazing show of the century also the most talked about. Job done on their behalf. Dont get me wrong I hope this doesn’t happen but there are a lot of unanswered questions that they need to answer…..if we dont at least find out about Sayid, Claire and Christian in the next episode then I think we are all being played.
well put, i see exactly were your coming from. i have thought many of the same things.and i hope your wrong lol. i dont they are by anymeans going to pull a sopranos. if they always knew how it was going to end, then thats what they had to pitch ,to get the show picked up. and i doubt that it was going to be a big joke to begin with they would not pick it up. i mean when has a show with jj abrams name on it end like that. but good thoughts i enjoyed
If the writers or whoever knew the end of the show from the begining than I am just going to prepare myself for disappointment. Something tells me its going to be very anti-climatic, simple, and a lot less cerebral than we are all making it out to be. Have any theories on Gov conspiracy? Maybe it was all planned? I know, I know how does this explain Jacob, smokey, etc…I know maybe we are past that now but I just have a feeling I am going to end up feeling the complete opposite of wowed after the last episode.
Same….im not theorising anymore and Im just gonna see what happens…..if the last episode is something stupid then they’ll have alot of pissed off viewers that have sat and watched every episode from start till end bought the dvd box sets and rewatched over and over again for them to pull a stunt would have everyone in uproar….maybe thats what they want….good publicity I suppose. Like I said I hope not though :S