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The Theravada branch of Buddhism believes that enlightenment is achieved through individual effort. The first film makes reference to this notion through Morpheus, who made it clear to Neo that Neo has to depend on himself in order to be enlightened. Morpheus tells Neo that, “no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself,” and “ I am trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You’re the one that has to walk through it.” Morpheus serves as a guide, so Neo must recognized the truth by himself. This reflects the views of Theravada Buddhists, who believes that a person must recognise the truth on his or her own, without the grace of any external power, before he or she can be enlightened.