[pamplemousse]

I was just thinking about this today. I just watched Episode three, and there are so many parallels that I'm pretty sure Lucas read up at least a bit on Taoism when creating the Jedi.

There's the obvious Tao/Force parallel everyone points out, but then there's the apprenticeship, and training of esoteric powers that Taoist immortals took on in the stories surrounding them, including the fact that it is revealed Qui-Gon mastered immortality (not a huge plot point, don't hit me).

There's a temple where all teachers and their apprentices take refuge, much like a monastary. The people within have the same attitude as the immortals tend to take on in their tales.

And if you look at Yoda, I think some obvious parallels to Lao Tzu can be made. He's the strongest, the wisest, and a little man with greying hair and a quiet but commanding presence. He doesn't speak as much as the other characters, but when he does, it is always something worth listening to.

The philosophy is pretty much present only in references to the force, but there's a lot of allusions to religious Taoism.
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[ndl]

Most of star wars (Republic era especially) is straight from eastern culture, not just the Taoism thing. Clothing, building design, the whole lot.

[pamplemousse]

Yeah, the clothing definitely has it... what of the architecture though?
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[ndl]

The architechture strikes me as being near east inspired.

[ndl]

Although, the skyscraper type stuff is from modern oriental cities.

[pamplemousse]

Interesting. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
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[Unamused]

I'm going to see the last SW during the weekend sometime ...

[BenDaMan]

"including the fact that it is revealed Qui-Gon mastered immortality (not a huge plot point, don't hit me)."

It's a pretty prominent plot point in 4, 5 and 6 though. I was disapointed when they didnt explain further with that aspect of the storyline. Same wite Boba Fett, doesnt really explain him following in his fathers footsteps.
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[pamplemousse]

When does Qui-Gon show up in 4,5,6 outside of that last shot with the spirit Jedi looking at Luke?
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[BenDaMan]

It doesnt show Gui Gon, but it shows the Obi Wan, Yoda and Anakin, so while you don't see Qui Gon, it's still prominant.
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[pamplemousse]

How's it prominent? I think they were ghosts...
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[BenDaMan]

They were and they werent. They were projecting themselves by using the force. Immortality.
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[ndl]

Of course, there is always that trivial bit of Luke being guided by Kenobi's spirit throughout the trilogy.

[BenDaMan]

If by trivial you again mean projecting himself using the force, then sure.
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