A Buddhist reading of Harry Pottter

[doug rogers]

No: HPFGUIDX 173865

I never though there was much, overtly, of Buddhism in the series. My  
insistent theory that Magic is Mind is influenced by my Buddhism...  
anyway. here is an interesting article as a review of the movie OOtP:

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=12,4459,0,0,1,0

that some might want to consider in light of the Christian readings  
of the themes in the books

> The greatest magic is nothing without the direction of a well- 
> mastered mind. In this sense, the greatest magic is a fully  
> mastered mind, with which psychic abilities are natural by- 
> products. This is emphasised by the oft-repeated admonishment for  
> Harry to develop sharper concentration. In this sense, "magic" is  
> only limited by one's will. Harry faced the challenge of training  
> his mind to be so strong that Voldermort (or "Mara") has no way of  
> seizing control of it. Voldermort's mind was his strongest weapon,  
> while Harry's mind was his own best defence.
>
> There is hope in Buddhist thought though. There is a way out -  
> Nirvana. Harry, like all of us, will die - unless he becomes  
> enlightened in time, thereby transcending the cycle of life and  
> death! By the end of the movie, it is still unclear as to the  
> significance of the phoenix in the order, but the phoenix is a  
> symbol of rebirth. Thus, my calculated guess is that Harry will  
> die, but not really die!
>

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