Buddhism and Fandom

==In Canon ==
=== Works with Buddhist Themes ===
*Journey to the West (and many more modern works inspired by it, such as Dragon Ball, Saiyuki, and The New Legends of Monkey) is a legendary telling of bringing Buddhist foundational texts to China, and as such deals with central tenets and cultural ideas of Chinese Budhhism.
*Avatar: The Last Airbender: though set entirely in a fictional world, the cultures depicted draw heavily on many real world countries and cultures mostly in East and South Asia, but also from around the world. The Air Nomads, in particular, are mostly inspired by Tibetan Buddhism.Some posts by atlaculture examining details in the show that are inspired by Tibetan culture, religion, and history: What's in a Name: Air Nomads, Cultural Fashion: Religious Hats, Cultural Practices: Avatar Relics, . Some fans incorporate these Buddhist elements into their fanworks, and may even expand on the Budhhist cultural elements and themes in the original (e.g. by incorporating Chinese and Japanese Buddhist practice into works about the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation).
*Land of the Lustrous's depiction of Buddhist themes has generated vigorous debate within the fandom. by dragonkeeper19600, post 10 December 2021.Some examples: by king-paimon, posted 27 July 2022. by weebookey, posted 25 November 2022. by pitchlag, posted 28 July 2022.
* Madoka Magica is often interpreted by fans to have strong Buddhist themes., discussion by azdoine, anarcha-catgirlism, and others. Links to other discussions that draw more on the Christian themes in the series.
* Star Wars: the principles of the Jedi Order are partly inspired by Buddhist teachings.Some links about this: Quote from George Lucas presented in a 1997 Star Wars Zine, The Conversation, The Human Front, Contemporary Buddhism, Polygon (specifically about The Last Jedi). Some fans feel the series misrepresents the Buddhist principles it draws on, or puts them in a negative light..
* Jujutsu Kaisen is often seen as containing strong Buddhist themes.Reddit: "JJK - A Buddhist Parable about Samsara & Gojo as Boddhisatva" by JisatsuNoJutsu, posted 07/04/2021, accessed 10/24/2024Anime Everything: "Jujutsu Kaisen’s Cultural References and Inspirations" by Andreea Blaga, accessed 10/24/2024
=== Buddhist Characters ===
* Cupid's Last Wish is a 2022 Thai drama in which the characters must journey to five Buddhist monasteries in a week. Buddhists monks and ceremonies are prominently featured in canon
* Inuyasha prominently features Shinto and Buddhist practitioners (in the latter category, Miroku the Buddhist monk)
* Buddhist cosmology is a frequent source of inspiration for shonen battle manga, particularly with regards to abilities and enemies. For example, an antagonist in Bleach wields a sword named Leg-Cutting Jizou, after the Japanese name for the boddhisatva Kṣitigarbha,Bleach Wiki: "Mayuri Kurotsuchi," accessed 10/24/2024 while in One Piece, the character of Fleet Admiral Sengoku is able to transform himself into a Buddha statue.One Piece Wiki: "Sengoku," accessed 10/24/2024
* Saint Seiya has Virgo Shaka, a character who is a Bodhisattva and is considered the closest man to a god.
*Steve Jinks from Warehouse 13 is a practicing BuddhistWarehouse 13 Wiki: "The New Guy", accessed 20/24/2024
==Fandom Activity==
===Fan Communities===
 
===Meta===
* by canmom, 2022 -- an overview of Buddhist depictions in various anime
* by mirkoscarrot, posted 27 February 2023. Interpreting the events of a recent BNHA manga chapter (possibly Ch. 381?) through a Buddhist lens
* by luminouslumity -- fan theories about reincarnation and avatar creation in LEGO Monkie kid, an adaption of Journey to the West
* , meta by jiangwanyinscatmom -- discusses the morality of MDZS central character Wei Wuxian through a Buddhist lens.
*Buddhism in Doctor Who: A Detailed Analysis by Z1RO (1999)
===Other===
*Wikipedia:The Dharma of Star Wars, a book that uses Star Wars characters to teach Buddhist principles.
==Links==
* AO3 Tags: Buddhism, Buddhist Character
==References==
Category:Buddhism & Fandom