Yoda's dialogue and wording does have apparent origins and that was confirmed a long time ago.
I think anyone can have a passing appreciation at least for Western philosophy and that is really what Yoda has always stood for. Taoism mainly, but Confucianism to a small degree, with Yoda always giving the impression that there were set rituals and traditions within the Jedi ranks. It takes training from anther individual in Confucianism to get to be a real Confucianist. In Taoism it is more of a self and individual journey unless you refer to the religious Taoism and not the normal philisophical kind. The Force in ESB is portrayed strongly as a bit of both of these Western thoughts.
A lot of people say they see Buddhism in the Jedi thoughts of ESB, but personally I see it to a much lesser degree than with Confucianism and Taoism.
Originally posted by: Dug
Despite the desire to have Yoda appear in the prequel, I really wish Yoda had not been in the prequels. I would've preferred that Yoda, even though strong in the Force, realizes that he is too frail, physically, to counter the looming dark side, and thereby, leaves, goes into hiding, waiting for the good Jedi to find him, or at least, wait for one who would be strong enough to train and battle the Emperor.
(And I really would love the surprise of ESB when we finally do get to see Yoda remain intact. "That's Yoda?!" As it stands, Yoda is ruined for me by having him appear in the PT. Now it's no surprise to anyone by ESB).
So, we'd get exposition right away in Episode I of Obi-Wan bringing Anakin to Yoda, only to be told, "He's gone, no one knows where he went. He said he wasn't strong enough." And then Obi-Wan decides, "Okay, if Yoda isn't here to train him, then I will."
Which fits right in with everything Obi-Wan said in the OOT.
Yoda got a bit too much screen-time in the Prequel Trilogy but I stand by saying he was necessary for Revenge of the Sith at the very least. Let's take a look at what Yoda did accomplish in the PT.
Episode I : Gave Obi-Wan permission to train Anakin after all the Qui-Gon controversy. Anakin's apprenticeship under Obi-Wan is undeniably a cornerstone of the entire saga.
Ep. II : Initiated the clones on Kamino and brought them over to Geonosis which essentially began the Clone Wars.
Ep. III : Was the voice of reason to Anakin before his fall. Fought the Emperor and was the one who commanded that the remaining Jedi go into hiding until the time was ripe.