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Loving Kindness: A Buddhism Guild

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:56 am


His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is an avid supporter of scientific inquary into the various traditions of Buddhism, even claiming that the Buddha was a "Scientist,...which means that a true Buddhist should follow the course of reason" (Time, March 2008 ). He states, "If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change. In my view, science and Buddhism share a search for the truth and for understanding reality."
You may claim that he doesn't mean this, but rather is trying to get converts to Buddhism. I, on the other hand, wholeheartedly feel that HH is searching for the truth, which is what all the religions of the world are about. He is one of the few monks in any tradition that tells people "not to take up [their religion] but to study within their own traditions, where their roots are deepest" (Time, March 2008 ).

Tenzin Gyatso
At one point I became particularly intrigued by an old telescope, with which I would study the heavens. One night while looking at the moon I realized that there were shadows on its surface. I corralled my two main tutors to show them, because this was contrary to the ancient version of cosmology I had been taught, which held that the moon was a heavenly body that emitted its own light.

But through my telescope the moon was clearly just a barren rock, pocked with craters. If the author of that fourth-century treatise were writing today, I'm sure he would write the chapter on cosmology differently.


I believe that Science and Religion are compatible. Should science prove a commonly held belief, like HH and the moon, religion should be rewritten. I also believe that in the matter of morality, religion can be very helpful to the world.

Are Science and Religion compatible? If Science proves an aspect of your religion wrong, should it still be included in your beliefs, or should science override it? Or should they stay different entities, should they not deal with each other?


-source-
PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:05 pm


I don't see why, for Buddhists especially, science should be even remotely ignored. If science disproves something about your beliefs, and it does it completely, it's time to let go of the belief. Rationality is the order of the day, and even monks have been arguing for change in understanding of teachings since the beginning of modern Buddhism.

After all, there's the kalama sutta, with its criterion for rejection...

Quote:
"It is proper for you, Kalamas, to doubt, to be uncertain; uncertainty has arisen in you about what is doubtful. Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumor; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are bad; these things are blameable; these things are censured by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to harm and ill,' abandon them."


And the one for acceptance...

Quote:
"Come, Kalamas. Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing; nor upon tradition; nor upon rumour; nor upon what is in a scripture; nor upon surmise; nor upon an axiom; nor upon specious reasoning; nor upon a bias towards a notion that has been pondered over; nor upon another's seeming ability; nor upon the consideration, 'The monk is our teacher.' Kalamas, when you yourselves know: 'These things are good; these things are not blameable; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness,' enter on and abide in them."


...both of which are a large part of what first stuck with me when I originally began my studies. 3nodding

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Loving Kindness: A Buddhism Guild

 
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