Buddhism and Science Pt. 1

By Mandy Joers through Professor Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Powell, opensourcebuddhism.org
Fantastic visuals open this intriguing documentary. We hear first of the case of a boy with a genetic disease making the point that sometimes many factors can alleviate disease and by analogy, Buddhism and Science together make a powerful combination. The relevance of the young boys story is marginal to Joers main task: examining the scientific studies of meditation through Dr. Davidsons research at the University of Wisconsin, measuring the definitely different wiring of trained monks compared to novices, thus solidifying a connection between science and Buddhism Mind/brain mutual relationship is part of the Buddhist perspective. Consciousness is that factor, known for ages by Buddhists, proven by science. Quantum theory is next. Wave and particle duality and uncertainty. Fantastic visuals exemplify again what Buddhist cosmology has known for ages: we are made of reality and our consciousness also alters that reality. Observer and observed are concomitants. Finally, the new science of mereological nihilism again corroborates a fundamental Buddhist awareness of non-thing-ness to things. The smallest particles comprise the macro level reality, and like all composite phenomena change and decay as the Buddha taught. This world is then a phenomena of consciousness once more, as there can be no perception of the ultimate infinitesimals, only the macro level of the world in our minds. This is just an excellent excellent production. GRADE A + Mandy. You should think of this as a career potential for real, just one of the very very if not the very best of this semesters crop and all time. I still think maybe the kid story could be shortened to the main point you want to make, but wow! You really took your time with this. Think about me whenever you might want a recommendation letter. I dont say that all the time.

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• evolution
• philosophy
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• Buddha
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• opensourcebuddhism.org
• consciousness
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[xapanxyi]

say you were a student of Buddha 2500 years ago then you did not have nowadays science.

and you did not need our science in order to follow footstep of Buddha and become enlightened! in other words, buddhism is selfsufficient for anyone to start with. anyone with no scientific knowledge can become enlightened. for enlightenned beings - our immature science discoveries are like little baby chat..

[opensourcebuddhism]

@xapanxyi No, back in the day, you didn't need science to follow the Buddha, the fascinating thing is how modern science has corroborated many of the discoveries of the Buddha especially viz. health benefits of meditation.

[RanjanLekhy]

When we try to over focus so called Mahayana term, we often mislead novice from the foundamental teaching of Buddha.There is no such thing that is called Mahayana Buddhism, Hinayana Buddhism or Tibetan Buddhism ro even Zen Buddhism. People should not forget the Pali text which maybe closer to original teachings of Buddha.

[opensourcebuddhism]

@RanjanLekhy Thanks Rajan, but why would the Buddha's original teaching be better than the 2 millenia of thought based on his thought? You say there is no Zen or Tibetan etc Mahayana Buddhism. It would surprise those millions to know that...all are based on the Buddha's original teachings....

[Muffinman10123]

He never tried to apply buddhism or any spirituality to his actual scientific opinions on quantum physics or his theories of relativity, nor did he believe that science should prove the need for any specific religious truth.

[opensourcebuddhism]

@Muffinman10123 Einstein's view was simply that Buddhism was the spirituality most amenable and compatible with science. Buddha was an experientialist focused on the consciousness, but Buddhists were adept physicists as well. The early Buddhist posited a variety of views: atomists, those who asserted "mind moments". Later Buddhists asserted the corelessness of phenomena (anti-atomists) and those who assert consciousness as central. All agree there is no self, just inter-related energies.

[yarzharl]

@C0C0nutFace

all reputable physicists don't dismiss Buddhism at all...

Either they don't mention it all or they have something good to say

I've never heard any scientist dismissing Buddhism...

as a matter of fact Buddhism is a spiritual philosophy rather than a religion

even if you classify it as a religion...it is neither theistic nor has any creation myths in it...

don't comment on something you have very little knowledge of...

[jiffyware]

The chick narrating this video should do it naked

[RanjanLekhy]

@opensourcebuddhism

Sorry for being late to reply. Would you explain your first question? Buddha says in the sky there is no west and east, humans minds demarcated them. In this video what all are discussed also can be found in the Pali texts. My main comment was on OVER FOCUSING on particular school. That is why, in the history, we see several schools mushroomed. Everyone understood Buddhism in their own ways. We need to understand Buddha's teachings in holistically.

[truthseeker010101]

@xapanxyi thats a thought. Paul produces what your calling "christians" and I agree that Paul is no master. There is no teaching that makes a man, you either defeat the lion or you are eating by it.

[xapanxyi]

@truthseeker010101

though i like your jesus but do NOT like christians...

if any master can produce so many bad students then he is not really a good master!

[TenTonTommy777]

@xapanxyi

that is not what buddha teaches

with that kind of mindset you'd be no different than any other blind religous nut..buddha clearly teaches to push the boundaries and question everything even his teachings..learn from experience and through research never accept blindly from anyone..to know something to be true you must be able to present evidence or facts

[matreyia]

@MrBaboonArse - I think everyone knows he was Jewish.

[matreyia]

@Muffinman10123 -"u should not use physics concepts that u know nothing about to promote your spiritual agenda."

What is so spiritual about

1. There are many world systems.

2. All things are interdependent.

3. All things change and decay

4. Whatever is born must die.

5. All things are empty

6. There's no such thing as a solid unchanging SELF (or SOUL)...???

The statements are repeated in scienctific circles. 2500 yrs. ago, the Buddha would've been 1 of the 1st to possess this knowledge.