Albert Einstein: The Buddha Found What He Was Searching For | Buddhism Podcast

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Albert Einstein: The Buddha  Found What He Was Searching For! "I am a deeply religious nonbeliever.  But if there were any religion that   could cope with modern scientific needs,  it would be Buddhism." - Albert Einstein Buddhism possesses the characteristics of  a universal religion that one might hope   for the future: It transcends the concept of a  personal God, steers clear of dogma and theology;   it encompasses both the natural and spiritual  worlds; and it is based on a religious sense   arising from the experience of all things,  natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity. "If there is any religion that could  correspond to the needs of modern science,   it would be Buddhism." - Albert Einstein Einstein saw Buddhism not just as a spiritual  doctrine but also as a philosophy of life,   a comprehensive approach to  the universe and human beings,   reflecting a harmony between science  and spirituality. He believed that   in a world increasingly governed by science and  technology, Buddhism offers a flexible mindset,   opening doors to profound understanding of  the universe's nature and our role within it.  SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY:  WHAT DO THEY SHARE IN COMMON? Albert Einstein, an immovable  figure in the history of science,   marked a turning point for humanity  with his General Theory of Relativity,   inaugurating a new era in our understanding  of the universe. He discovered that time and   space are not separate entities but are  interwoven, changing according to the   observer's position and velocity. The equation  E=MC^2 is not just a formula; it is a powerful   statement about the unity of matter and energy,  opening new doors for the field of physics. But Einstein was not just a scientist. He  was also a great philosopher and thinker   who transcended the boundaries of scientific  theory in search of harmony between science,   philosophy, and religion. His view of  religion was not one of blind faith but   a profound appreciation for the order and wonder  of the universe, reflecting a soul in constant   search for beauty and truth. Through his way of  connecting science with philosophy and religion,   Einstein became a symbol of unending exploration  and the desire to understand the world around us.  HUMANITY LACKS THE WISDOM TO  UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES OF NATURE The Buddha offered humanity a profound lesson,  opening the path to fully explore the infinite   potential of the mind, leading to a deep  understanding of the surrounding world   and ultimately to liberation from the endless  cycle of rebirth. The difference lies in that   while Einstein sought answers to the mysteries  of the external universe, the Buddha turned   his attention inward, using observation, wisdom,  and genuine reasoning to approach enlightenment. Both the Buddha and Einstein approached their  work with a scientific spirit, but the Buddha   strongly asserted that knowledge should not be  accepted blindly. He encouraged verification   through personal experience and reasoning, an  open approach that accepts only what has been   proven to be true. With this method, the Buddha  achieved the profound understanding he sought. Einstein emphasized the importance of  ethics and integrity in humans. However,   he believed that the source of morality should  not be fear or the expectation of punishment   from "God" or any other power. He said: Human  ethical behavior should be based on compassion,   education, and social ties and needs; it does  not need to have a religious foundation. It is   indeed sad if humans are restrained only by fear  of punishment and hope for rewards after death. If   humans are good only because they fear punishment  and hope for rewards, then we are a sorry lot   indeed - (Albert Einstein, "Religion and Science",  New York Times Magazine, November 9, 1930). Einstein denied the existence of a personal  God but could not provide an answer to the   beauty and methodical way the universe  was formed. He expressed this as follows: "I do not believe in a personal God  and I have never denied this but have   expressed it clearly. If in me there is  anything that can be called religious,   then it is the unbounded admiration for the  structure of the world so far as our science can   reveal it. I believe in Spinoza's God, who reveals  Himself in the orderly harmony of what exists,   not in a God who concerns Himself with  the fates and actions of human beings.   (Albert Einstein, 1954) GOD IS NOTHING BUT NATURE The God of Spinoza, referred to by Einstein, is  what? Spinoza, a Dutch philosopher, asserted that   God is nothing but NATURE ITSELF. According  to Spinoza, there are matter, energy, atoms,   molecules, life, thought, humans, societies,  galaxies, and possibly even multiple universes,   but nothing exists outside of nature, including  spiritual phenomena and other phenomena that   we do not yet understand. If they exist,  they are a Chapterof nature. In Buddhism,   there are five natural laws operating in the  universe that cause everything to happen, known   as the Five Niyamas. Karma or action is just one  of those elements. The current condition is the   result of countless changing factors. There is no  single cause for everything to exist as it does. The following statement clearly indicates that,   though Einstein rejected  God, he was not an atheist: "I have repeatedly said that in my opinion  the idea of a personal God is a childlike one,   but I do not share the professional atheist's  fervor for battling theism, whose enthusiasm   mainly stems from the painful liberation process  from the religious indoctrinations of youth. I   prefer an attitude of humility corresponding to  the weakness of our intellectual understanding of   nature and of our own being. THE MIDDLE WAY The Buddha opposed the traditional Hindu concept  of the world being created by God (Eternalism)   and also did not accept the materialism of those  who do not believe in God (Nihilism). He became   the first philosopher to deny the idea that the  'Soul' is an immutable entity. Einstein appears   to have agreed with both of these positions.  In his previous statement, Einstein expressed   humility in recognizing the limitations of his  knowledge to unravel the 'mysteries' of the world. Let's contemplate Einstein's words: "A human being is a Chapterof the whole called by  us 'Universe', a Chapterlimited in time and space.   He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings  as something separated from the rest—a kind of   optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion  is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to   our personal desires and to affection for a few  persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free   ourselves from this prison by widening our circle  of compassion to embrace all living creatures and   the whole of nature in its beauty. No one can  achieve this completely, but the striving for   such achievement is in itself a Chapterof the  liberation and a foundation for inner security." This thought aligns closely with Buddhist  teachings, particularly the Middle Way,   which avoids the extremes of eternalism and  nihilism. It emphasizes interconnectedness   and the importance of compassion and  understanding beyond the self, aiming   for a spiritual liberation that brings inner  peace and a deeper connection with the universe. EINSTEIN, THE BUDDHA, AND  UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSE "Physical concepts are free  creations of the human mind,   and are not, however it may seem, uniquely  determined by the external world." -Einstein This quote from Einstein reflects a profound  perspective on how we understand and construct   knowledge about the world around us. He asserts  that physical concepts—how we describe and explain   natural phenomena—are not uniquely determined by  the external world but are products of the human   mind. In other words, while the natural world  exists independently and follows its own laws,   the way we comprehend and interpret  that world through physical concepts   and theories is our own creation, based  on observation, reasoning, and creativity. Einstein emphasized the flexibility  and creativity of science, as well as   the fact that there is no single path  or fixed answer to any question. This   opens up possibilities for innovation  and progress in science, as scientists   continue to develop and adjust their theories  to more accurately reflect the natural world. This viewpoint also underscores the importance  of understanding that scientific knowledge is   not absolute. Scientific concepts  and theories are always subject to   challenge and revision over time, based on new  evidence and new understandings of the world. Remarkably, the Buddha, from 2,500 years  ago, expressed a similar viewpoint but   in a different way: "All notions such  as cause and effect, sequence, atoms,   basic elements... are all figments of imagination  and manifestations of the mind." - The Buddha THE 'SELF' IS NOT A RATIONAL CONCEPT According to the Buddha, the 'Self' is not a  rational concept. The 'Self' is merely an emotion;   therefore, consciousness is an illusion, and the  sense of 'Self' is just an activity of the brain.   Humans live unconsciously, in a dream-like state,  believing in their own existence. The consequence   is that they become dependent on concepts and  forms, not realizing that these have no more   foundation than the activities of the mind. The  Buddha declared that due to this misperception,   humanity's liberation would be hindered.  The Buddha referred to this as ignorance   (or anatta - non-self), which Einstein described  as the illusion of consciousness. The Buddha's   solution to help us escape this 'prison' is  through the development and purification of the   mind, following a clear path (the Noble Eightfold  Path and the Four Noble Truths). The Buddha's path   also includes extending unbiased compassion  towards all beings. According to the Buddha,   attachment (desire) brings suffering and  also prevents escape from this 'prison'.   Einstein said this 'prison' restricts our  love only to our dear ones (Becoming selfish).   He proposed that to escape this 'prison',  compassion must embrace all living beings. Einstein's effort to explore the mysteries of  the world can be seen through this statement: The most beautiful and profound experience is  the sensation of the mystical. It is the sower   of all true science. He to whom this emotion  is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and   stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know  that what is impenetrable to us really exists,   manifesting itself as the highest wisdom  and the most radiant beauty which our   dull faculties can comprehend only in their  primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling   is at the center of true religiousness. (Albert  Einstein – The Merging of Spirit and Science)" EINSTEIN, THE BUDDHA, AND  UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSE Einstein acknowledged that, despite the  human mind's incredible sophistication,   it still cannot fully comprehend  the universe's vast mysteries. Yet,   he never ceased to admire the beauty  and order with which nature operates. He   called this acceptance and deeper  understanding true religiosity. In an intriguing conversation between  the Buddha and one of his disciples,   a similar approach is revealed: The disciple asked: "Lord Buddha,  how vast is the universe?"  The Buddha replied: "Does knowing the size of  the universe help you escape from suffering?"  When the disciple admitted it  did not, the Buddha taught:   "Then why focus on matters that  do not help in ending suffering?" Through this, Buddhism emphasizes  that instead of being engrossed in   metaphysical questions and curiosities  that do not address humanity's core   issue – suffering – one should focus  on finding the causes and solutions   for it. Buddhism considers the universe  as an endless cycle of cause and effect,   existing eternally without a specific beginning,  but with cycles of renewal and new eras beginning. The message that both Einstein  and the Buddha share is:   liberate oneself from unnecessary bindings  by expanding the mind and compassion,   aiming for deep understanding and addressing  the problem of suffering comprehensively. SUFFERING AND THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING The parable of the poisoned arrow is  often used to illustrate the Buddha's   lesson that "those who are concerned  with the origin of the universe and   other topics are being distracted from  the purpose of religious practice." Imagine a man hit by a poisoned arrow,  and his friends and family find a doctor   capable of removing the arrow. If the  man says, ‘I will not have this arrow   removed until I know whether the shooter  was a priest, a prince, or a merchant,   their name and their family. I will not allow  it to be removed until I know what kind of   bow was used and whether the arrowhead  was of ordinary type or iron.’ Likely,   before he learns all this information, he will  no longer have the chance to hear the answers. This story serves as a lesson from the Buddha,   indicating that learning the origin of  the universe or similar endeavors is   less important than addressing immediate problems  such as suffering and the lack of peace in life. Bertrand Russell, a renowned philosopher,  once explained why he accepts the Buddhist   view on the origin of the world. - "Among the  founders of all the religions in the world,   I respect only one — the Buddha. The  main reason is that the Buddha did   not make pronouncements about the  origin of the world. The Buddha is   the only teacher who recognized the true  nature of the world." (Bertrand Russell) It's fascinating to note that modern  scientists and psychologists pay great   attention to studying the brain and mind.  Buddhist meditation practices like compassion,   breath meditation, and mindfulness  are widely used in Western medicine   and psychology. It would be wonderful  if more scientists like Einstein step   forward to bridge the gap between science  and Eastern philosophy in the future.
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Channel: Ego Podcast (Buddhism)
Views: 339,044
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Keywords: Albert Einstein, Buddha, Buddhism, 12 causes and conditions, wisdom, intelligence, Knowledge, Śūnyatā, suññatā, voidness, anātman, Mahāyāna, Budism, śūnya, Nāgārjuna, Madhyamaka, Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, śūnyavāda, shunyavada, शून्यवाद, Nirvana, The Buddha, Mindfulness, Emptiness, Death, Buddhism Podcast, buddhism for you, meditation, buddha's path, buddhism, buddhist, dalai lama, four noble truths, eightfold path, Paṭiccasamuppāda, Dharma, Cause and Effect
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Length: 17min 34sec (1054 seconds)
Published: Wed Apr 03 2024
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