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Pillars of Eternity SeriesBuddhism and esoteric inspired?(9 posts)(9 posts)
(9 posts)
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Posted March 28, 2015
After a talk with some NPCs in the first village (try not to spoil here), got a feeling that the story is inspired by some mystical or esoteric knowledge.

Reincarnation.
Watcher, that "sees what was always there, but others know not how to look" and "remembers what others forgot".
Talk with the dead: "How are we able to talk?" - "It's the convenient way for your mind to put it that way." - Wow, it's deep.
Babies that are born like shells with no souls (so it stresses that soul can be detached from the body). It is in contrary with the popular modern materialistic belief that consciousness is the product of the brain.

It's not the magic/fireball stuff of BG. and even not the alignment / change the nature of a man stuff of Torment. It's like more in the vein of what is beyond material plane and the ability to perceive it.

It seems interesting that these ideas are being spread in the game.
Post edited March 28, 2015 by floyd919
Posted March 28, 2015
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floyd919: After a talk with some NPCs in the first village (try not to spoil here), got a feeling that the story is inspired by some mystical or esoteric knowledge.
Well after talking to Durance once he’d joined my group, there is definitely a little inquisition inspired violence going on as well. Some of the dialogue leads me to think this game is perhaps a bit too deep for a PG-13 audience lol. The notion of Burning soulless babies to rid the world of these empty vessels in the name of his god is I hope just dialog lol.
Posted March 28, 2015
Beware of taking to heart any philosophy or religion that you hear in a video game.
Posted March 28, 2015
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alcaray: Beware of taking to heart any philosophy or religion that you hear in a video game.
Well, of course ))
It's as absurd as taking to heart some Hollywood blockbuster fantasies.) Or game of thrones, whatever
But some ideas are rooted deep if you dig for the meaning inside you
Posted March 28, 2015
I'm seeing a little dark souls (Hollowborn) and Soul Reaver influences mixed in it as well
Posted March 28, 2015
The basic idea is closer to Hinduism. According to Buddhism you undergo rebirth but not reincarnation, because you have no soul/self.
Posted March 29, 2015
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floyd919: After a talk with some NPCs in the first village (try not to spoil here), got a feeling that the story is inspired by some mystical or esoteric knowledge.

Reincarnation.
Watcher, that "sees what was always there, but others know not how to look" and "remembers what others forgot".
Talk with the dead: "How are we able to talk?" - "It's the convenient way for your mind to put it that way." - Wow, it's deep.
Babies that are born like shells with no souls (so it stresses that soul can be detached from the body). It is in contrary with the popular modern materialistic belief that consciousness is the product of the brain.

It's not the magic/fireball stuff of BG. and even not the alignment / change the nature of a man stuff of Torment. It's like more in the vein of what is beyond material plane and the ability to perceive it.

It seems interesting that these ideas are being spread in the game.
Absolutely! I was having this very thought yesterday, happy to know i'm not the only one. Beyond the shroud, soul fragments, reincarnation, beyond the material plane, all very interesting and in line with how i feel about life in general...

For me, it is very refreshing that these somewhat more deep or philosophical elements where put into the game, in place of you typical good vs evil, heaven vs hell type of spirituality in some other games...

I second this post 100%!!
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alcaray: Beware of taking to heart any philosophy or religion that you hear in a video game.
Yes, i don't think the post was meant with that intent (i could be wrong however)...

I think we all agree that this is fantasy after all, and entertainment, but still, of better quality perhaps?
Post edited March 29, 2015 by Blopagol
Posted March 31, 2015
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alcaray: Beware of taking to heart any philosophy or religion that you hear in a video game.
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Blopagol: Yes, i don't think the post was meant with that intent (i could be wrong however)...

I think we all agree that this is fantasy after all, and entertainment, but still, of better quality perhaps?
Yeah, of course I don't mean creating "a church of pillars of eternity")))
or change my beliefs to the ones presented in the game.

I just too feel that the ideas presented by the authors of the game resonate with mine.
And I suppose that these ideas may subconsciously influence players in a good way (like a good book), to think about their life in a more spiritual way

After all it's a role-playing game. You role-play a character in the world where the ideas of soul, karma, esoteric knowledge are more obvious and intact than in the "real world", where we are distracted by many materialistic problems. It may rise some thoughts.
Post edited March 31, 2015 by floyd919
Posted March 31, 2015
Well, you guys are taking my comment a bit seriously! I recall people who thought they were sophisticated for using the word "grok" in the 60's, or quoted quotes from the princess Irulan. (likely they are a bit embarrassed about it now, looking back) Or people who thought they were the cool kids at the party who, instead of saying "goodbye", said "Live long, and prosper."

This stuff does not bear comparing to actual abstract reasoning. It is just silly fiction. Anyway that's what my quip was supposed to convey.
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Pillars of Eternity SeriesBuddhism and esoteric inspired?(9 posts)(9 posts)
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