The Dalai Lama the acclaimed spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism was forced into exile in 1959. He now resides in Dharamsala, India but considers himself to be a citizen of the world. The first of his pragmatic words to make an impression upon me was this statement. “If scientific analysis was to conclusively demonstrate certain claims in Buddhism to be false, we must accept the findings of science and abandon those claims”. The mere articulation of these words by an eminent religious world leader is enough to cause me to pause and listen with rapture to what this ecumenical gentleman has to disseminate. The primary assertion of Buddhism is proclaiming the validity of truth. Pronounced authority of experience with reason is their second ambition and cultivation of scripture their final priority. In 1987 he established the Mind and Life conferences, which are held at his residence every two years. Each is an international endeavor to unite the consummate scientific minds of the world for an open consortium with reciprocity of ideas and theories.
I concur with the Dalai Lama’s premise that science is a form of inquiry and the body of knowledge which gives rise to understanding. A healthy skepticism is required for progressive insight as it is the discernment required in experiencing new discoveries. Acuity combined with the natural human quest for understanding leads us to the expansion of our consciousness and current methodologies. We must always be cognizant of the person wielding the scientific instrument for he may not possess authentic and genuine intentions. It is the cosmological good versus evil paradigm we confront on a daily basis.
The Buddhist’s perspective, and coincidentally the Popperian falsifiability thesis, b...
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...uine human being was that of awe at the encouragement, wisdom and acumen he exudes. Pragmatism and conformity will lead us to the precipice, the fortitude to delve into undiscovered and obscure territories is compulsory for future discoveries and enigmas.
His message of hope, compassion and understanding is illuminated in every word penned in The Universe in a Single Atom. I was raised in a religious doctrine who’s intent was to consummate acceptance and who attempted (and failed) to teach impertinent children like myself to obey and not question convention. My excursions, cognitive acuteness, and humility have led me to traverse the path of enlightenment. I endeavor to be cognizant and apply reason in the face of adversity. To be vigilant and recognize the limits of knowledge, both collective and personal and be conscious of humanity and this planet we inhabit.
In a world of suffering and pain the Dalai Lama said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive”. The Dalai Lama has become a figurehead for Buddhism worldwide for his compassion and warm smiles. Buddhism has extended beyond meditation and even monks such as the Dalai Lama. The basic concepts of compassion and mindfulness in Buddhism are being applied in the daily lives of lay people who need it the most.
truth that fixes our existence. He said it best in his own words, "I will . . .
“The lack of conflict between science and religion arises from a lack of overlap between their respective domains of professional expertise—science in the empirical constitution of the universe, and religion in the search for proper ethical values and the spiritual meaning of our lives. The attainment of wisdom in a full life requires extensive attention to both domains—for a great book tells us that the truth can make us free and that we will live in optimal harmony with our fellows when we learn to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
The third chapter of The Buddha Meets Socrates asks, “Is science a distraction?” To answer this question, the text addresses three major underlying questions: what is science, what is the purpose of science, and can science lead us to truth? The chapter incorporates several Western views, comparing and contrasting them with the Buddhist view elucidated by the Karmapa. The first question as to the identity of science is developed through a traditional Western view, invoking the minds of Socrates, Descartes, and Kant. To what end science proceeds is then questioned with respect to Nietzsche with reference to Socrates, and is compared with the views of the Karma. Lastly, regarding the pursuit of truth, the eastern and western thoughts clearly
Thích Nh’at Hanh is a world renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, religious figure and accomplished writer. Living Buddha, Living Christ is only one of his many famous publications. Thích Nh’at Hanh, is famous for his insights into spiritual heritage and mindfulness in the present moment. Many Americans are seeking religious understanding and personal spirituality, even if they do not practice in the traditional manner. Throughout this book Nh’at Hang encourages readers to find meaning, understanding, mindfulness, and peace in the teachings of Buddha and Christ. His main focus is to open meaningful dialogue between different traditions, cultures, and religious groups around the world, for the betterment
Spiritual belief can be a very powerful political force. It can be used as a method of oppression or a mode of revolution. For example it can also offer a spark of hope to people defying oppression at their own risk of violence and or death. The feeling of a reality greater than ourselves, and the belief in a spirit that eclipses the horrors of the world around us, can inspire strength, loyalty and faith. This is most noticeable in the Tibetan Independence Movement, which is where Buddhism has played a huge part in the counteraction of the totalitarian rule of the People’s Republic of China. Tibet’s struggle for independence from the People’s Republic of China can be thoroughly described through the origins of the cause and the significant effects from the conflict.
With guidance from principle beliefs and the XIVth Dalai Lama, Buddhist bioethics and the devotional practice of Temple Puja have an impact of high significance on individuals, and the Buddhist community in ultimately, guiding the life of the adherent to achieve total enlightenment. As the modern figurehead for Buddhism, the XIVth Dalai Lama has contributed to the formulation and reassessment of the Buddhist approach to ethical issues.
Buddhism is currently the fourth most popular religion in our society today, following Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Its major ideologies are based on the philosophies of Siddhartha Guatama, also known as “Buddha”, who began his teachings in 598 BCE at the age of 35, according to Buddhist texts. A Buddhist’s foremost aspiration is the obtainment of Bodhi, or enlightenment through meditation and Anapana-sati (awareness of the breath). Buddhism shares many ideologies with India’s Hinduism and Yoga such as non-harming, non-violence, and self-awareness. In many instances, people regard Buddhism as a way of life rather than a religion, for it has no clear belief in the idea of a God or Gods. Its structure is built upon a hierarchy much like Christianity where superior orders such as Lamas or the Dalai Lama are said to be chosen by nature through the process of reincarnation rather than by a council like Christianity’s Pope. Though these “higher level” Buddhists are rare (not everyone is a reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist “priest”), all are permitted to follow “The Middle Way” either as a Buddhist monk or the simple attendance of a weekly teaching session from time to time. Throughout the last few hundred years the Buddhist population has blossomed into a healthy 381,611,000 and over fifteen different sects including Zen, Mahayana, and Theravada.
Lama, Dalai, XIV. Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World's Religions Can Come
...s he is hopeful that we all can come together and understand existence, and the properties of things that exist in the world.
Rinpoche, Samdhong. Uncompromising Truth for a Compromised World: Tibetan Buddhism in Today’s World; forward by 14th Dalai Lama. (Tibet: World Wisdom, 2006), 264.
The study of Buddhism over the past century or so has resembled the encounter of the blind men and the elephant in many ways. Students of Buddhism have tended to fasten onto a small part of the tradition and assume their conclusions held true about the whole. Often the parts they have seized on have been a little like the elephant's tusks a striking, but unrepresentative, part of the whole animal. As a result, many erroneous and sweeping generalizations about Buddhism have been made, such as that it is 'negative', 'world-denying', 'pessimistic', and so forth.
Generally, science is a hotly discussed and vehemently debated topic. It is difficult to achieve consensus in science, considering the fact that ideas are diverse about even science definition, leave alone the true interpretations and meaning of scientific experiments, philosophies and discoveries. However, these arguments, disagreements as well as continuous trials to find a better reasoning, logic and explanation are exactly what have always been driving science progress from art to art form. It is worth noting that, in Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, the Author-Samir Okasha explore various way of looking at science via the prism of life by citing a variety of scientific experiments, and providing examples from history of science.
Throughout the history of humankind, man has always searched to find answers to the many existential questions. Numerous different religions and denominations have developed around the world over time. Though, most wonder about the origin and purpose of our existence. Buddhism was founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama about 2,600 years ago in India. After he had experienced that everyone was subject to “birth, sickness, death, and old age”, he tried to find a way to break from the cycle of rebirth (Bloom). Siddhartha Gautama experimented with a number of methods to find the cause of suffering which led him to what he called the Middle Way – a path between “licentiousness and extreme mortification” (Bloom). Once he achieved enlightenment, he turned into ‘the Buddha – the enlightened or awakened one’. Christianity is one of the largest and most prevailing religions of the world and largely based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians trust that Jesus was sent by God to save humanity. Therefore, the faith of the followers of the Christian belief is primarily based on the preaching of Jesus and later the spreading of those by his disciples. Although Buddhism and Christianity show several parallels, their three key differences are that Buddhists do not believe in one divine being, and have different views about both the purpose of life and the concept of afterlife.
I will now examine what it means to be religious with a critical enquiry into Buddhism, Hinduism and