Holy Guardian Superman

image courtesy of a lovely post about the Last Son of Krypton
at Theory of Everything Comics

Max Landis is terrible person, but he understands Superman:

a person who could do anything, and chooses to do the right thing out of kindness, not obligation

A Buddhist would call that बोधिसत्त्व.

Superman’s moral judgment is perfected, he feels no fear, his compassion is limitless, and he is empowered with siddhis of every real or imagined human capacity to a divine, superhuman degree. He draws his powers from the golden light of the Sun.

Those who know the chakra system might call this anāhata, the heart.

But Superman is a Western god, transmitted to us originally by a couple of Jewish kids from the holy city of Cleveland, so his symbolism is perhaps best understood in terms of the Hermetic qabalah. In that system tifareth, which means “beauty” (whose number is six and planet is the Sun, color is yellow, metal is gold) closely mirrors anāhata. Superman is traditionally depicted wearing the blue of chesed (“mercy”, the protective and sustaining sphere, corresponding to four, Jupiter, and tin) trimmed in the red of gevurah (“strength”, the fierce and active counterpart to chesed, corresponding to five, Mars, and iron). Over his heart there is an emblem which shows his sigil over a field of the yellow of tifrareth, bound within a five-sided shield in the red of gevurah.

He bears the Hebrew angelic name Kal-El, “The Voice of God”. His father bears the name Jor-El, “(There Will Be The) Light of God”; his mother bears the name Lara, “Of The Initiation”; his cousin Supergirl bears the name Kara Zor-El, “Call To God’s Stranger”.

The aspirant may benefit from meditation on the significance of these colors, sigils, and names.

More resources

More pop Buddhas from io9.

Alan Moore says:

Superman is the Sun that all others revolve around. The story is a representation of an alien being who comes to Earth and just so happens to blend in among humans while using his unique abilities, not to rise above us but to help us. He cannot be a god because gods are dictators who set rules for others to follow. Superman sets rules for himself and uses these rules for our benefit. The myth was perfected from the 1950’s through roughly the 1970’s under the pencil of a severe talent, Curt Swan. If America has a legend comparable to the ageless myths of antiquity, theirs is Superman.

Marvel Studios understands Superman, and he isn’t even their guy:

Consider this dialogue:

Okay, if you and Batman fought, who would win?

The Joker.

I’m serious, for real, who would win?

Batman.

For real?!

For real.

Aren’t you stronger and faster and you have laser eyes and he doesn’t?

Yes.

So you would win?

No, he would win.

Do you even know what you’re saying?

I do.

How would he win?

I’d let him.

What?! Why?!

If you knew Batman, you’d know. It’d mean a lot to him.

So?

He’s gone through a lot. He deserves some happiness.

Don’t you deserve happiness?

Winning fights doesn’t make me happy.

What does?

My family, my work, my dog, this.

This?

You, Alice. Talking to you, seeing that you’re good, that makes me happy.

More than beating Batman?

Yes. A lot more.

In the course of a smart Twitter thread about actors who have played Superman, Sean Kelly says:

The other day, James Gunn was saying that he’s looking for a Superman you want to hug, and I think that’s right on the money: Yes, Superman should convincingly be able to pick up an ocean liner but also fill in for Santa Claus if Santa gets the flu.
[⋯]
Clark Kent is not an act. Clark Kent was discovered, as a baby, by kindly farmers. They named him, loved him, raised him with their values. He grew up a good kid, in a loving home, not knowing where he came from until he was older, not knowing what name his biological parents gave him.

James P. “But A Jape” Sandoval tells us that “‘Superman is unrelatable’ is Luthorian propaganda and I will die on that hill”:

Four beautiful pages with just thirteen words, from Superman: Red & Blue, tell the same story:

Superman Meets Shazam is the only Angry Superman story I love. His anger comes from his compassion, and the conflict is resolved with more compassion. Joshua Middleton’s art exemplifies how good comics art is often a matter of good acting.

Why Superman Is My Hero is a meditation on a perfect one-page Superman story from All-Star Superman in which Superman says “you’re much stronger than you think you are”:

[content warning: suicide]

I have struggled with depression ever since I was ten years old. It had crippled me emotionally. I was 27 years old, no college degree, no job, and no will to live. I decided to kill myself after Christmas.

And then my sister’s boyfriend loaned me these comics. Superman is dying of radiation poisoning and is trying to complete all of his tasks before he dies, but he still takes the time to save a young girl who is about to jump off a building.

I cried for hours after reading this. I identified with that girl so much, ans I could almost hear Superman telling me that I’m stronger than I think.

Now, every time my depression starts to rear its ugly head, I just repeat his words and imagine him hugging me when I'm standing on the edge. It works better than any medication or therapy I’ve ever had.

Now I’m in college and at the top of my class. I have friends. I have a life. And I don’t care that he’s a fictional comic book character. He still saved me.

Another commentator says of that story, “a pitch-perfect example of pikuach nefesh, the Jewish principle that ‘saving a life’ is the greatest thing a person can do”.

Cheryl Lynn Eaton tells us:

Superman (and kind characters of great power) are interesting because morals force them to depend on strategy over brute force.

Superman keeps getting hit with the trolley problem over and over and over — and his response is always, “No, I’m saving everyone.” And then he does it. He finds a way. And that’s amazing.

And on the rare times he doesn't find a way, he is absolutely devastated. And we are too. We grieve with him. No one is collateral damage to Superman. Ever.

Last thing. The difference between Superman and nearly every other hero — even his teammates — is that Superman doesn’t have an outgroup. You are Superman’s friend, a member of his community, until your behavior towards the community proves otherwise. And that is both admirable and dangerous. When you’re invulnerable it is easy to live life that way. Doesn’t go so smoothly for the rest of us delicate meatbags.

To that point, I have to give the last word to the pitch-perfect Superman & Lois TV series. He works to save everyone. Everyone. Even the villains. Especially the villains.