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.
Contributed by: Trinh Xuan Thuan
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