The 12 Acts Of The Buddha As Depicted By "The Office"

What would Tenzin Chögyel's 12 acts look like in the world of Dunder Mifflin?

1. Heaven

Just as the Buddha must leave Heaven and appoint a successor, Michael Scott must leave Scranton and appoint the new branch manager. Safe to say that Buddha Maitreya probably did a better job than Deangelo Vickers.

2. Descent

Preparation is key. In Chapter 2, the Buddha is descending from Tushita and into his mother's womb to prepare for his birth and entrance into Earth. And who's more prepared than assistant to the regional manager, Dwight Schrute?

3. Birth

The third act is about the miraculous birth of the Buddha and the praise, fame, and prophecies of respected leaders and Gods. The pregnancy of Michael's former girlfriend, Jan Levison, was also met with quite the spectacle.

4. Education

The Buddha studied grammar, mathematics, the arts, archery, and more under Vishvamitra. Andy Bernard sang in an a cappella group at Cornell. Ever heard of them?

5. Harem

In the fifth section, Buddha bests all of his opponents in writing, math, the long jump, swimming, running, and archery to win the princess, Gopa. Similarly, Dwight and Andy had to duel to win over the accountant, Angela.

6. Renunciation

King Suddhodana tried everything he could to keep the prince at the palace, but he had to renounce and depart. Dunder Mifflin also tried to keep their regional manager in Scranton, but he too had to depart his home.

7. Austerity

"When you next see me, I'll be a new man." - Michael Scott. (The Buddha's six year physically brutal journey along the Nairanjana River that almost killed him was probably more life-changing than Michael's half-day in the woods of Scranton.)

8. The Diamond Throne

Trees are an important symbol both for "The Life of the Buddha" and "The Office." The Buddha embarks off to a Bodhi tree to achieve enlightenment. And where would a paper company be without trees?

9. Demons

Just as the Buddha must fight off the demon, Mara, Michael Scott has to fight off his own personal demon: Jan Levinson. (Spoiler alert: they both win.)

10. Enlightenment

Sometimes you know something in an instant, in the single beat of a drum. For the Buddha, this was enlightenment. For Jim Halpert, it was Pam Beasley.

11. Teaching

After enlightenment, the Buddha spends the next forty years spreading the word of the Dharma. One can only imagine if his teaching method was as inspirational as that of Michael Scott.

12. Death

In the final act of the life of the Buddha, he shares all his teachings with his disciples and sons and falls into a sleep that rumbles the earth and makes meteors fall. In the finale of "The Office," viewers only felt that way figuratively.