Sam has a question
Because of images like this (courtesy of
![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
), Sam (6) is under the impression that Buddhists once lived on Naboo. We attended a wedding over the weekend at a Zen temple and all Sam saw in the garden was “Buddha statues, you know, like on Naboo.” So for him, that’s pretty much where Buddhism started — a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
I see no reason to contradict him — as far as I know, there is no rule against bodhisattvas showing up on other planets in ancient history. Anyone know who these ancient statues are supposed to be? When were they built (in Star Wars time), who built them, why? And is it sacrilege for a Gungan to perch on one when calling his army to battle a bunch of robots?
I think I’m changing my religion to Naboo Buddhist.
Nabooddhist?
There are many, many, many different interpretations of the Buddha, so I’m guessing most of those are actually of Buddha himself. Or Amidala on a funky hair day.
Where did that image come from, other than?
I wonder if Palpatine has buddha nature.
Oh, that’s actually a screenshot from the movie, isn’t it? Odd that I don’t remember that. And it’s only been… oh, a decade since I’ve seen that movie.
You, sir, need to join the film stills lj community.
Not ANOTHER angry mob!?
So many communities, so little time.
Now if only I had a way to take screencaps. And a whole lot more free time.
I remember wondering the same thing. If memory serves the Gungans were supposed to have built their city (or at least their “sacred place”) on the ruins of a much older civilization. Since they look nothing like Gungans I would assume they were a different race, possibly ancestors of the Nabooians(?)
Or, more likely, Lucas just thought they looked cool and came up with an explanation later.
The people from the planet Naboo are called the Naboo, much to my disappointment.
This is not the buddha nature you are looking for. Move along.
:)!!
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Elders_%28Naboo%29
About 7,000 years before the Battle of Yavin, this civilization drove the Gungans underwater, and they apparently died out about 2,000 years after that, Star Wars scientists presume, was a result of negligence towards their environment.
Well geez, they don’t seem like very good Buddhists at all.
Random Buddist fact #17
The robes are saffron coloured to represent moonlight, as Buddha was born at night in moonlight.
And thats all a $1500 backpacking trip to Thailand in 1997 has to show for it (other than a dodgy picture from Scaramangas island).