In Hinduism and Buddhism, the concept of an avatar refers to the incarnation or physical manifestation of a deity, spirit, or abstract quality in human or animal form. Each avatar is meant to counteract a particular problem, evil, or suffering in the world.
Critics saw an "undeniably" Hindu connection between the film's story and the Vedic teaching of reverence for the whole universe, as well as the yogic practice of inhabiting a distant body by one's consciousness and compared the film's love scene to tantric practices.
And although Avatar was an American production, its creators forged a distinctly Asian world, with influences from monastic Tibet, Thai kingdoms, and Japanese villages, as well as Arctic indigenous communities. This unique approach was not lost on the TV writer Albert Kim when he watched the series with his daughter.
Throughout the series, there are specific references and themes related to Buddhist philosophy and teachings. This is deliberate on the part of the creators, because some of the morals conveyed in the show, such as the preciousness and value of all life, form the backbone of the story arc.
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Religious Influence, Symbolism and Themes (Buddhism and Hinduism)
Is Avatar based off Hinduism?
Cameron, while Answering a question from Time magazine in 2007, "What is an Avatar anyway?," replied, "It's an incarnation of one of the Hindu gods taking a flesh form.
avatar, In Hinduism, the incarnation of a deity in human or animal form to counteract an evil in the world. It usually refers to 10 appearances of Vishnu, including an incarnation as the Buddha Gautama and Kalkin (the incarnation yet to come).
The practice of determining the Avatar, as well as the belief in incarnations of the Avatar, are based on Tibetan practices for identifying the Dalai Lama—the Avatar likened to a Bodhisattva, a Buddha that delays Nirvana himself in order to enlighten all sentient beings.
Earthbending is mostly based on Hung Ga kung fu. Firebending is like Northern Shaolin kung fu. And Airbending is similar to baguazhang. Each nation is also connected to a season: autumn for the Air Nomads, winter for the Water Tribe, spring for the Earth Kingdom and summer for the Fire Nation.
Themes and inspirations. Avatar is primarily an action-adventure journey of self-discovery, in the context of imperialism, and deep ecology. Cameron said his inspiration was "every single science fiction book I read as a kid" and that he wanted to update the style of Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter series.
Most of the "good guys" on Avatar are shown to have respect and reverence for nature. Respect of nature is one of the "four affirmations" of the Shinto spirit. The entrance gate to the Spirit Wilds in Republic City resembles the torii found in Japanese Shinto shrines.
Does Gods exist in the avatar universe? So, not really "gods" but more "spirits", this is largely because of the Eastern Influences that exist in the franchise. It's more that people revere (and sometimes not) spirits and/or people that can connect to them and the spirit world.
The names of Aang's mentor, Gyatso, and Aang's (future) airbender son, Tenzin, are nods to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Like the Dalai Lama, the Avatar is thought to be reincarnated over many lifetimes.
Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana.
The series is notable for borrowing extensively from East Asian art and mythology for its universe, especially Chinese culture. Its creators employed cultural consultant Edwin Zane and Chinese calligrapher Siu-Leung Lee to help determine its art direction and settings.
The elemental system of ATLA/LOK involves four primary elements: water, earth, fire, and air. Only the avatar can master all four elements, whereas regular individuals may be able to master one or none of the bending arts.
Connections. Chi-blocking resembles the martial arts technique, Dim Mak, which purports to kill or maim by disrupting the body's flow of internal energy. It also has some connections to varma kalai, an ancient martial art of Southern India.
In the show, we were told that elements represent "Change, Substance, Power and Freedom". They also represent 4 seasons. But there are also things they represent which aren't mentioned in the show, but strongly implied, according to my observations. Those are "Mind, Body, Emotions and Spirit".
Aang was the last surviving Airbender, a monk of the Air Nomads' Southern Air Temple, and the youngest ever airbending master (for his time). Avatar Aang in Avatar: The Last Airbender, kneeling in a battle pose, holding his staff behind him.
Tibetan Buddhism teaches that we are all potential Buddhas, because we are essentially pure and luminous at the most basic level of existence. That purity, called Buddha-nature, is typically clouded over by a dense layer of ignorance and negativity, which dominates us and leads to suffering.
The translation of avatar as "incarnation" has been questioned by Christian theologians, who state that an incarnation is in flesh and imperfect, while avatar is mythical and perfect. The theological concept of Christ as an incarnation, as found in Christology, presents the Christian concept of incarnation.
The latter version is followed by some Vaishnavas who do not accept the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu. One list in the Mahabharata gives Rama (Bhargava), Rama (Dasharathi), Satvata (Krishna or Balarama), the Tri-Rama. The Tantric Prapanchasara (attributed to Adi Shankara, but disputed,) also omits the Buddha.
Avatar derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," and when it first appeared in English in the late 18th century, it referred to the descent of a deity to the earth—typically, the incarnation in earthly form of Vishnu or another Hindu deity.
James Cameron recently spoke with Empire for their January 2023 issue and was asked why he decided to make the Na'vi blue in Avatar. It turns out that there's not any grand reasoning behind the choice, it was simply the only colour he felt wasn't taken by other cinematic characters. “As for the colour: green was taken.
