Buddhism and Science
Ven. K Sri Dhammananda
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Buddhism goes beyond modern science
in its acceptance of a wider field of knowledge than is allowed by the
scientific mind. Buddhism admits knowledge arising from the sense organs
as well as personal experiences gained though mental culture. By training
and developing a highly concentrated mind, religious experience can be
understood and verified. Religious experience is not something which can
be understood by conducting experiments in a test-tube or examined under a
microscope.
Buddhists' View of Science
The truth discovered by science is
relative and subject to changes, while that found by the Buddha is final
and absolute: the Truth of Dharma does not change according to time and
space. Furthermore, in contrast to the selective theorising of science,
the Buddha encouraged the wise not to cling to theories, scientific or
otherwise. Instead of theorising, the Buddha taught mankind how to live a
righteous life so as to discover Ultimate Truths. By living a righteous
life, by calming the senses, and by casting off desires, the Buddha
pointed the way through which we can discover within ourselves the nature
of life. And the real purpose of life can be found.
The Importance of Practice
Practice is important in Buddhism. A
person who studies much but does not practice is like one who is able to
recite recipes from a huge cookery-book without trying to prepare a single
dish. His hunger cannot be relived by book knowledge alone. Practice is
such important prerequisite of enlightenment that in some schools of
Buddhism, such as Zen, practice is put even ahead or knowledge.
Buddhists' Approach
The scientific method is outwardly
directed, and modern scientists exploit nature and the elements for their
own comfort, often disregarding the need to harmonise with the environment
and thereby polluting the world. In contrast, Buddhism is inwardly
directed and is concerned with the inner development of man. On the lower
level, Buddhism teaches the individual how to adjust and cope with events
and circumstances of daily life. At the higher level, it represents the
human endeavour to grow beyond oneself through the practice of mental
culture or mind development.
Buddhism
has a complete system of mental culture concerned with gaining insight
into the nature of things which leads to complete self-realisation of the
Ultimate Truth - Nirvana. This system is both practical and scientific, it
involves dispassionate observation of emotional and mental states. More
like a scientist than a judge, a meditator observes the inner world with
mindfulness.
(This article was
extracted from "What Buddhist Believe", written by Ven (Dr) K Sri
Dhammananda.
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Update: 01-09-2003