Presented by: Dr. Maosen ZHONG
Pureland Learning College Association
Date: 24 April 2003
Introduction
Traditional Buddhism is not a religion but an education about the truth of life and the universe. Modern science has gradually verified what Buddha Shakyamuni taught in the sutras (i.e., Buddhist texts). It would be interesting to contrast the new physics discoveries about the universe with the statements in the sutras. In this paper, we summarize some key discoveries about the universe from Americas National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) on-line cosmology literature.
The purpose of this preliminary study is to stimulate our thinking and discussion of the truth about our universe. We believe that each religion has insightful descriptions about the truth of life and the universe. It is important for religious followers to study their own scriptures and understand these truths.
Modern cosmology attempts to describe how the universe started and developed. The subject is built upon quantum mechanics and Albert Einsteins Theories of Relativity. Most of the discoveries are derived from highly advanced mathematical principles and are quite difficult for a person without sufficient knowledge in physics and mathematics to comprehend. However, we do not intend to focus on the technical details of those mathematical formulas here. What is important are the messages that emerge from this scientific research. We will elaborate on some key discoveries of space physics research, which appear amazingly similar to what Buddha Shakyamuni had taught 3000 years ago.
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1 NASA, founded in 1958, is the worlds leading research agency in aerospace and physics.
2 The time frame of 3000 years is calculated from Chinese records which differs from those of other countries.. Most scholars hold that Buddha Shakyamuni lived about 2500 years ago.
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In this paper, we present three key messages derived from modern cosmology and quantum physics, which are essentially the same as some of the Buddhas profound teachings about the universe. Below we try to use easy-to-understand language to explain the ideas, avoiding complicated mathematical equations, because we expect our audience to be the general public, not physics professionals. These three key messages are:
1) Distance and time are illusory;
2) Things can be created from nothing;
3) The origin of the universe.
Messages from New Discoveries in Space Physics
http://www.amtfweb.org/english/science-html/english-science-discover.htm
Venerable Master Chin Kung - His Devotion to The Education of Peace
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AEED80D22538D1E4
Buddhism : The Wisdom of Compassion and Awakening
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0F782986301127E2
Given by Venerable Master Chin Kung 淨空法師
Read by Venerable Wu Ling
(Originated from the book in Chinese called 認識佛教)
It is necessary for us to have a correct understanding before practicing Buddhism; otherwise, all the effort and time spent on cultivation will become futile, and the most superior result will not be attained either. Venerable Master Chin Kung delivered a talk to illustrate the true nature of Buddhism in Miami, Florida USA in 1991.
Good video.
coolingstar9 5 months ago
this guy seems to automatically believe what he was taught, which is nice in a debate when you need to take something only you believe and convince others of it. However even the last buddha was known to have said, [do not take my word, what I have said, go seek it for yourself]. The original buddhists had limited in math and technology, the similarities may correlate, but they are not the same. Think about the different theories combined to make string theory, Could this be the spiritual side?
terriblemanners 6 months ago
@216Clevelander Opinions are one thing and facts are another. The FACT is that there are NUMEROUS religions that are mutually exclusive. One religion says there is ONE God, another says there are MANY Gods and a third says that "God is nature and not a real being". Not all of these can be right. That is a fact.
You have as much faith that YOUR religion is right as the Greeks did in thinking that Apollo and Zeus were real. How dare you imply that they weren't?
MrBartusX 9 months ago
@216Clevelander How do you know that Greek Gods aren't real? Maybe Apollo and Zeus are real you just don't have the right knowledge to link it together? MAYBE there is a unicorn living under your house, you just haven't dug deep enough to find it....
Do you know what links these cases together? The fact that none of them have any empirical evidence to support them.
MrBartusX 9 months ago
@MrBartusX How dare u compare greek mythical Gods with real religion that's been around since man. Whats real to you might not be real to another. Maybe whats real to you is God you just don't have the right knowledge to link it together and make sense of it even though its everywhere. anyways we all have our opinions and that is that just don't talk bad about someone else s beliefs. Nice real knowledge you are spreading by the way....helps a lot..........not.
216Clevelander 9 months ago
@216Clevelander Is it bad to point out that Greek mythical Gods aren't real? Or that lightning is a natural phenomenon and not the spear of Zeus?
I don't think so. If you want to believe in magical stories then go ahead do so, but don't stop attacking people who are trying to spread REAL knowledge. THAT'S not right.
MrBartusX 9 months ago
@MrBartusX religion molds into life, religion molds into any discovery, religion molds to anyone, anything and everything. Hey if u don't believe that's you but don't go talking bad about it that's not right.
216Clevelander 9 months ago
@216Clevelander Get yourself a real education. Watching youtube videos just doesn't cut it.
MrBartusX 9 months ago
@MrBartusX u got alot to learn
216Clevelander 10 months ago
@216Clevelander I'm sure you believe this as does any other religion. Muslims say the Quran was right, Christians say the Bible was... In the future people are gonna look back at you the same way we look back at those who believed in Zeus and Apollo.
MrBartusX 10 months ago