Science and Buddhism
When
the developers of this volume asked me to provide a paper about "Science
and Buddhism," they probably wanted the point of view of someone who has
been trained in the scientific method of the West and is a practicing scientist,
but who happens also to have some knowledge of the Buddhist tradition; in other
words, someone who is familiar with two totally different ways of exploring the
nature of the phenomenal world: one which relies on the rational method and uses
physics and mathematics as tools while the other relies on an analysis of phenomena
through the contemplative method. Yet both share a common thread: both are based
on experience and observation.
It is not my purpose in this talk to use science
to justify Buddhism, nor Buddhism to give a mystical meaning to science. Both
exist independently of one another and stand on their own: Buddhism is a science
of the awakening and whether the Universe is expanding or not can not have any
bearing on its philosophical underpinnings. On the other hand, science is perfectly
self-sufficient and accomplishes well its stated aim - that of giving a coherent
description of the physical processes operating in Nature - without the need of
a philosophical support from Buddhism or any other religion. Yet both science
and Buddhism aspire to describe reality, and if their approaches are both coherent
and valid, their respective visions should not contradict and exclude each other
but rather should complement and re-enforce each other.
The description of
the phenomenal world is not the main aim of Buddhism. Buddha is a physician of
the soul and his main concern is to show the way to enlightenment. He has greater
preoccupation with peace of mind, kindness, compassion and the joy and happiness
in ourselves and others than in knowledge that does not contribute directly to
a lessening of sorrow and suffering. Knowing that the Earth is round rather than
flat, or that the universe had a beginning (or not) does not contribute directly
to awakening. However, in order to analyze the causes of unhappiness, Buddha uses
the methods of contemplative science that allow one not only to see clearly into
the nature of the mind, but also to considerably refine our view of the phenomenal
world. According to Buddhism, a correct analysis of the phenomenal world is necessary
because an incorrect perception of reality may result in suffering and unhappiness.
For example, if we are convinced that the material world has an intrinsic and
permanent existence, then we may develop a strong misguided attachment to that
material world which can cause frustration and suffering.