Avatar: The Last Airbender - Religious Influence, Symbolism and Themes (Buddhism and Hinduism)

All rights and credit go to the original creators.

Music Used:
Kurapika theme (2011) [EXTENDED] Hiiro no Hitom
Agni Kai (Trap Remix) [Musicality Remix] Avatar The Last Air Bender
Sonic Unleashed Shamar Hub Day Music
Sealed Ground (Theme of Gigan Rocks Gigan Device from Sonic Riders Zero Gravity)

#ATLA #Buddhism #Hinduism

Sources:

[androwindo]

As an Indian, I can say that most of the spirutal entities have Indian names. Bumi(we literally say earth as bumi), avatar(a form of god who descends the earth, to maintain balance) agni(the word for fire). The concept of raava and vaatu is similar to the gods RAAHU AND KETU (two snake like entities often referred together. They are known as shadows which causes eclipse and intersect at the poles(shown in Korra). And they have a period of some years where they meet. Just look about it in the Internet

[inayatjain]

There are also heavy influence from Jainism, which is very similar to Buddhism and Hinduism. We have the same beliefs of spiritual energy, reincarnation, and nonviolence (we are all vegetarians).

[--Nathan--]

Something were obvious, while others need some explanation, worth the watch...✌

[bernardsmith]

I never realized combustion man was literally a direct representation of Shiva.

[rinakit]

I’ve watched Avatar about 5 times now, and it will never cease to amuse me. Since Avatar is my favorite show ever, I decided to immerse myself more in the story, not by looking at the beautiful and wonderful creative process like I usually do, but more into what inspired Avatar. So recently I’ve been immersed into researching about Buddhism and Hinduism and I can definitely tell where was the inspiration drawn from, I’ve been enjoying this process of studying about a completely different culture a lot, and I love that I get to understand the story and the philosophy of it even more and more. Currently I’ve been really obsessed with this philosophy but I will expand my research and hopefully I will get to know more about the other cultures that inspired my favorite show. Thanks for this video, I really enjoyed watching it c:

[rengild]

Avatar sign symbol on head is Hare Krishna symbol or Hinduism's symbol

[pinksheep]

The deep cultural/Religious and Political topics in the show are what made it so awesome. And the cartoony/funny aspect made it even more awesome. The fact that the show did its research and respected each culture is amazing.

[reneepeters]

That was one of the best parts of it. It's sad that The Legend Of Korra didn't utilize it as much.

[benjistackk]

Your very knowledgeable just binged watch your avatar series

[zaviera_]

One thing that struck me was the episode The Serpent's Pass. The episode was influenced by the book Exodus where Katara (Moses) splits the sea (Red sea) to guide the refugees (the Israelian people) to the other side to be saved from the fire nation (the Egyptians). This definitely isn't a coincidence.

[trinathkonduru]

The Entire Asian Religion and Spiritual Beliefs comes from India. It's all Sanathana Dharma (Hinduism) philosophy branched into China, Japan through Buddhism, Jainism and Localized Philosophy. The Term 'Avatar' in itself explains it's origins.

[Enomaru]

the heavy hindu influence in the show is probably the one thing that kinda upset me about Avatar. as a hindu, it makes me happy that our concepts are used so much, but we get such little rep it’s kinda depressing. ok bumi’s cool, but that’s about it :/.
the entire concept of the Avatar is hindu! so why make zero actual indian coded characters 🙄😔

[quanyuan]

-8:31 About Aang and Dalaï-lama, it's a bit overthinking, most Chinese monks have yellow and red cassocks, (Actually most of monks are called lama in Tibet, unlike most of other monks, they are not bald)....

[DrUpauli]

All of the information I used to make this video is sourced in the description!

[hollyslager]

The circle of the four elements that uncle iroh draws reminds me of the medicine wheel of some nations of Indigenous people of Canada. This circle is not part of a religion per say however it did represent teachings of balance and spiritual beliefs.

[hte]

just found this channel and i’m so thankful that i did <3

[elizabethwilliams]

What a wonderful video. I am teaching a class on Avatar the Last Airbender to 8-11 years old kids and this is a great summary to help me keep everything straight

[nourata.]

Ive always loved the references in avatar. It actually taught me a lot

[helloboi]

Even the clothes are literally from Buddhism lmao

[argentinanaoma]

This quote from Guru Pathik:

"The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same."

Is this a Hinduist principle?