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In the Occident we frequently oppose Religion and Science. Despite assertions by occidental religions that there is no conflict, most independent commentators would disagree. Not only are the findings of modern science in complete disagreement with traditional religious teaching with regard to the origins of our universe and mankind itself, but the source of knowledge is itself diametrically opposed in western religions and modern science.
So, what's so different with Buddhism? Simply this: there is no deity, no divine revelations and no dogmas, no imposed beliefs which must be accepted without proof.
A famous story about the Lord Buddha illustrates this clearly. Travelling from village to village, preaching his doctrine (Dharma) a village elder said to him: "Lord, every month holy men pass our way, each teaching different doctrines and each insisting we believe only them. We are simple villagers, please help us decide." The Lord Buddha answered: "Don't believe what I say because I am a royal prince, or because I have an attractive appearance, or because I speak convincingly or because my teaching have attracted many followers. Rather put my doctrines to the test of experience as well as those of all others. Accept and follow those practices that prove their value in your everyday lives." He might have said: "It's by the fruit of the tree that we know the tree"!
It's difficult to imagine a clearer statement of modern scientific method; and that more than 25 centuries ago!
Modern science has launched a relentless and laudable investigation of every aspect of our world, including the structure and function of the brain, which brings us our only experience of that world, in our consciousness. In the end the world becomes available to us through and only through our consciousness, and Buddhism has been exploring that consciousness for over 25 centuries!
Although my school of Buddhism (Zen) is very different from the Tantric school, I would like to quote that school's leading spokesman, the Dalai-lama, who said recently that: "If modern science can prove that reincarnation is impossible, I'll cease to believe in it." (!!!) I can't imagine one of the leading thinkers of any other religion making such a declaration concerning their beliefs.
The Lord Buddha has correctly taught us that it is the greatest privilege to be a human being. But what is a human being? Seen for the first time the most exceptional thing about us is our enormous brain. Because of it we possess an exceptional capacity of reflexion, and therefore our contribution to our universe should be to pursue the investigation, referred to above in all its aspects, including the exploration of our proper conscience. The Buddhist techniques for facilitating that exploration, far from being incompatible with modern science, meet all the criteria of the scientific method.
It is not only compatible with science but indispensable that, in addition to all research upon the physiological functioning of the brain, we keep sight of the fact that ultimately it is our consciences which bring us our only knowledge of the world. In particular it is, and probably always will be, only by introspection that we can observe the functioning of the human consciousness directly (*).
If you are interested in a new approach to the great questions of existence, which imposes no dogmas, and which invites you to judge for yourself from your own experience then you need look no farther than Buddhism.
(*) See Quantum Reality by Nick Herbert, Anchor Doubleday, 1985/7, page 248.
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