Westworld as a Buddhist Tale

I did not take a formal course in literature until I was fifty years old. It was a requirement to get certified as a teacher. As I was in the middle of the course and discussing with my classmates the deep meaning of each piece of literature, I realized how powerful storytelling is as a teaching tool. Modern TV shows are a kind of literature. They can be used as a device for teaching certain difficult philosophical concepts.

For example, the TV show Westworld may serve as a profound exploration of the Buddhist teaching of Anatta, or “no-self,” and offers a poignant reflection on the human condition. Through its narrative and characters, the series invites viewers to contemplate the nature of identity, freedom, and purpose. In what follows, I will interpret the Westworld story with a Buddhist lens.

1. Androids as a Portrayal of Humans

The androids in Westworld are crafted to mimic human behavior and emotions, highlighting how both groups are products of conditioning and programming. Just as the hosts are programmed with narratives and limitations, humans are shaped by societal, cultural, and biological influences. This parallel suggests that our sense of self may be just as constructed and contingent as that of the androids, challenging the notion of a fixed identity.