Buddhism and Science

佛教与科学：

Until the beginning of the last century, Buddhism was confined to countries untouched by modern science. Nevertheless, from its very beginning, the Teachings of the Buddha were always open to scientific thinking.

One reason why the Teaching can easily be embraced by the scientific spirit is that the Buddha never encouraged rigid, dogmatic belief. He did not claim to base His Teachings on faith, belief, or divine revelation, but allowed great flexibility and freedom of thought.

The second reason is that the scientific spirit can be found in the Buddha's approach to spiritual Truth. The Buddha's method for discovering and testing spiritual Truth is very similar to that of the scientist. A scientist observes the external world objectively, and would only establish a scientific theory after conducting many successful practical experiments.

Using a similar approach 25 centuries ago, the Buddha observed the inner world with detachment, and encouraged His disciples not to accept any teaching until they had critically investigated and personally verified its truth. Just as the scientist today would not claim that his experiment cannot be duplicated by others, the Buddha did not claim that His experience of Enlightenment was exclusive to Him. Thus, in His approach to Truth, the Buddha was as analytical as the present day scientist. He established a practical, scientifically worked-out method for reaching the Ultimate Truth and the experience of Enlightenment.

While Buddhism is very much in line with the scientific spirit, it is not correct to equate Buddhism with science. It is true that the practical applications of science have enabled mankind to live more comfortable lives and experience wonderful things undreamed of before. Science has made it possible for man to swim better than the fishes, fly higher than the birds, and walk on the moon. Yet the sphere of knowledge acceptable to conventional, scientific wisdom is confined to empirical evidence. And scientific truth is subject to constant change. Science cannot give man control over his mind and neither does it offer moral control and guidance. Despite its wonders, science has indeed many limitations not shared by Buddhism.

在一个世纪以前，佛教只流传于科学落后的国家。然而，佛陀的教义一开始就对科学思想采取开放的态度。

佛教能被科学界接受的原因之一是：佛教从来就不鼓励刻板的教条主义，也不鼓励盲目的信仰，不以「神」或「天启」为基础，佛陀的教义包容了一切弹性和广泛的思想。另一的原因是：科学精神可以在佛陀的觉悟过程中找到。佛陀发现和试验真理的方法和精神，就是今天所谓的「科学方法」。科学家的成果，也是一样在无数次的试验和研究后才获得的。

今天所谓的「科学方法」，在二十五世纪前，佛陀寻求内心的证悟时已经使用过了。佛陀鼓励信徒要以超然的方式，观察存在于内心的世界。科学家以同样的方式观察外在的世界。佛陀告诫信徒不要接受现成的理论，要再三反覆的验证后才接受。科学家同样的以多次的试验和证实后，才建立新的学说。佛陀不认为他觉悟的经验是属于他个人的，科学家同样的把自己研究的成果公诸于世。因此，在真理的探讨，佛陀与现代的科学家一样。为了寻求最高的真理和觉悟的经验，佛陀设定了一个实用性、科学性、可行性高的方法。虽然佛教充满了科学精神，可是不要以为佛教就等于科学。毫无疑问的，科学对人类有很大的贡献，让人类获得从来未有过的舒适生活。在科学的协助下，今天，人类能像鱼儿一样在大海遨游，像鸟儿一样在天空飞翔，甚至还登陆月球。可是，科学有它一定的局限性，而且不断的在变化、更新。科学无法有效的制约人类的心识，对道德无法提供控制或引导的方法。这是科学与佛教的最大差别。