Introduction: Doctor Strange is a character created by Marvel Comics in 1963. He is a master of mystic arts who defends Earth against magical threats. Doctor Strange has caught the fancy of moviegoers around the world, but is the story and character based on Hinduism? Though Doctor Strange comics don’t explicitly mention Hinduism and other religious elements, some popular characters and concepts from the comic book series have roots in Hinduism. Let us explore how Doctor Strange is probably based on Hinduism.
Tantra and Vedic Science: In Hinduism, the practice of ‘Tantra’ refers to spiritual rituals and practices, which include martial arts and occult knowledge. The underlying principles of such practices can be found in the Vedic scriptures, which suggest that the universe is a play of divine energy. This connection between Tantra and Vedic science forms the basis of Doctor Strange’s mystical powers. Furthermore, the Supreme Being in Hinduism, commonly known as Brahman, shares similarities with Doctor Strange’s ‘Omni-Force’.
Other Elements in Doctor Strange: Doctor Strange has many other elements in his origin story which can be seen to have links to Hinduism, such as the ‘Eye of Agamotto’, for instance. The hallowed item is depicted in the comics as a powerful amulet and is most probably based off of Hindu mythology. Similar items are described in various Hindu texts, such as the ‘Parijataka’, in the Mahabharata and the ‘Markendaya Sukta’ in the Vedas. Moreover, some of Doctor Strange’s sorcery involves invoking powerful gods, much like Hinduism, which has several gods and goddesses.
The Role of Nature: In Hinduism, the concept of Shakti, or cosmic energy, permeates throughout the natural world and is seen as the embodiment of nature. It is believed that this cosmic energy can be tapped into and manipulated through yoga, meditation and spiritual practices. This may explain the intricate connections between Doctor Strange and the natural world. For example, Doctor Strange used a spell to communicate with tree spirit in the movies. This reflects Hinduism’s idea of understanding the complexities of nature through spiritual practices.
Themes in Doctor Strange: The underlying themes of Doctor Strange reflect the values of Hinduism – that is, the need for the individual to strive for balance and harmony, the respect for spiritual practices, the tension between science and spirituality, and the importance of protecting the natural world. In Hinduism, the importance of being mindful of one’s actions and their consequences is also emphasized. This is aptly demonstrated in Doctor Strange, when his hubris causes him to become arrogant and almost causes him to fall into a villainous path. Ultimately, Doctor Strange’s story is an example of the triumph of good over evil.
The depiction of Hinduism in Doctor Strange
The Impact of the Movie: The movie version of Doctor Strange has had a huge impact on viewers, particularly those from the East – Hindu and non-Hindu alike – as it has made them aware of the legacy of the Hindu culture and its heritage. Some of the characters and plot lines were modified in order to add a universal appeal to the movie, but the core themes still remain the same. Thus, although Doctor Strange is deemed a fiction, it is testament to the fact that Hinduism has significantly influenced culture and beliefs of the world.
Stereotypical Representation: Critics have argued that Doctor Strange could have portrayed Hinduism in a more respectful manner. Instead of the traditional portrayal of Indian characters as Yoga experts or snake charmers, Marvel could have used more nuanced and contemporary characters in order to represent Hinduism. While there are some merits to this argument, it is also important to consider that Doctor Strange is still a work of fiction, and should not be taken as an authoritative representation of Hinduism.
The Impact of Science:
Hinduism is one of the most ancient religions in the world and it is still practiced by millions today. The influence of Hinduism is undeniable, and evidence can also be seen in the form of Doctor Strange. The character is a testament to the power of Scientific inquiry and its ability to understand, incorporate and explain spiritual concepts. Moreover, Doctor Strange reflects the idea of balance that is central to Hindu versions of reality, as it shows that science and spirituality go hand in hand.
Buddhism and Doctor Strange
Origin: Doctor Strange is heavily influenced by Buddhism, particularly the teachings of the ‘Tibetan Book of the Dead’. This is an ancient doctrine detailing the experience of the afterlife and the path to enlightenment. The teachings of the book are based on Buddha’s teachings and feature heavily in the origin story of Doctor Strange. Furthermore, Doctor Strange’s transformation to a wise and more enlightened version of himself may be seen as a representation of the Buddhist concept of ‘nirvana’.
Other Buddhist Concepts: Other Buddhist teachings, such as the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness and compassion also seem to feature in Doctor Strange. For example, in the movies, it is often the case that Doctor Strange is shown using his wisdom and powerful knowledge to save the world. This reflects the idea that those with the highest level of knowledge and wisdom should be the ones to lead and protect the world, which is a theme in Buddhist thought.
Surrealism and Symbolism: The Doctor Strange movie is often seen to be full of surreal imagery and symbolism, which draws heavily on Buddhist themes. For instance, the idea of meditation and the outer reaches of human consciousness is often explored in the movie, such as when Doctor Strange takes a journey into the astral plane. Furthermore, some of the characters, such as the Ancient One, have names which are reflections of Buddhist concepts. These are all examples of how the movie has adopted and manipulated Buddhist ideas.
Hindu-Buddhist Convergence in Doctor Strange
The Inherent Connection: Hinduism and Buddhism are both ancient and influential religions which share many similarities, such as a belief in non-material reality and an emphasis on spiritual enlightenment. As such, it is not surprising that both religions have been extensively referenced in Doctor Strange. Notably, some Hindu concepts, such as the invocation of gods and the use of magical amulets, feature in the movie alongside Buddhist rituals and concepts, such as meditation and astral projection.
The Subconscious Impact: While some viewers may not be aware of the religious influences in Doctor Strange, the movie may still have an unconscious impact on its viewers. This is because many of the themes explored in the movie are based on Hindu and Buddhist teachings, and thus the movie references many concepts which have been explored in Hinduism and Buddhism for centuries. As such, viewers may gain a deeper understanding of religious themes, such as cosmic reality and the power of meditation.
The Novelty of Doctor Strange: Due to the success of the Doctor Strange movie, more viewers are exposed to the Hindu and Buddhist teachings covered in the movie. This is beneficial to both Hinduism and Buddhism, as it increases awareness of their respective religions, as well as removing some of the stigma that is sometimes associated with them. In this way, Doctor Strange allows for both religions to be seen as modern and relevant, thus changing the perception of Hinduism and Buddhism in the eyes of the West.
Bottom Line:
A Treat for Audiences: Whether or not Doctor Strange is based on Hinduism remains to be seen, but what is certain is that Doctor Strange has created an opportunity to spread awareness of Hinduism and Buddhism to audiences across the world. The success of Doctor Strange by merging themes from both religions has excited audiences about the possibilities of Hindu-Buddhist teachings, and may encourage more people to explore and embrace the richness of these two ancient religions.
