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Why did master Oogway vanish along with a whirl wind of peach tree leaves in Kung Fu Panda (2008)?

And, why did he vanish just after the news of Tai Long's escape?

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  • Did you see all three movies?
    – Mithoron
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 21:32

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In movies, the deaths of spiritual masters are sometimes shown as a "transcendence". One example is Obi-Wan Kenobi, in Star Wars: A New Hope. As he was cut down by Darth Vadar, Obi-Wan's robes simply fell to the floor, empty. His body had vanished.

Master Oogway passed away in a similar fashion: He was surrounded by a swirl of peach tree leaves, representing the chi of the universe. He became one with it, and his body vanished (or became chi) as he died / transcended.

Obi-Wan Kenobi's death

Master Oogway's death

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  • The second question?
    – user1215
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 21:52
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    @anonymous Yeah, I'm not really sure about that. The timing feels like it has some mythological storytelling timing, but I can't put my finger on it. Like Oogway, taught Shifu, Shifu taught Tai Lung (whoops!), then Shifu is teaching Po ... so Oogway has to leave Shifu and Po on their own to confront Tai Lung on their own without Oogway's guidance. But I don't have a solid answer as you can tell.
    – BrettFromLA
    Commented Jan 8, 2018 at 22:16
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I think the answer to the 2nd question can be found here.

If you go through the link, it says that Master Oogway developed the legend of the dragon warrior. When Po was finally chosen as the dragon warrior, his quest or rather his purpose was complete.

I think the news of Tai Lung's escape and his vanishing was a mere coincidence.

PS: Also the link says that his (Master Oogway's) time had come to an end hence he ascended to heaven. But I think it was more to do with him completing his quest than just that (his time coming to an end).

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An alternative view: after finally finding the Dragon Warrior, Oogway's final quest is done, and he could 'transcend'. But he doesn't. He sticks around... right until Shifu mentions Tai Lung's escape. And that's the only part in the movie when he's seen visibly shocked.

He knew that he was only able to beat him with his secret paralysis technique, but now that Tai Lung has seen it he is capable of countering it (he actually uses it in combat even).

So, absolutely terrified, he throws some misdirection with the peach leaves and just runs away.

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