The Wizard Of Oz A Buddhist Lecture

Most people know the story of the Wizard of Oz so I will not go into detail about the story but I will share a Buddhist perspective about the story. Those of us who chant to the "Dai -Gohonzon" (True object of devotion) let me show you the Dai-Gohonzon in the Wizard of Oz. Movie. Symbolically the good witch Glenda is the Dai-Gohonzon. The Wizard represents non-Buddhist methods of solving problems. The wizard is like a psychologist, counselor, preacher or even other religions. The wicked-witch represent evil or hindering forces that stagnate up. I will not break every part of the movie down into Buddhist parts however we can have some fun talking about the movie and learning about Buddhism at the same time.

The movie begins in early 1900's U.S.A.. This movie could have taken place anywhere in the world. The quality is the same anywhere in the world. There is a little girl Dorothy that has her puppy Toto. Like all small dogs they can be a bit mischievous and Toto ran after I think her name was Mrs. Elvira's cat. Dogs will something chase a cat and in chasing through a garden you can cause damage. Mrs. Elvira was a rich eccentric woman who will use her power and influence, if need be. We all hate the mean-spirited Elvira types and we try to avoid them if possible. Dorothy's dog Toto was wrong to chase the cat and Mrs. Elvira was wrong trying to pick the dog up as she perhaps took a small bite. Now that Elvira is mad and slighted ,she callously attempts to have Dorothy's dog killed. Most of us try to be merciful and understanding but not Mrs. Elvira.

 


 

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