Buddhism and Science

　　佛教與科學：

　　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 pine 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.

　　在一個世紀以前，佛教只流傳于科學落後的國家。然而，佛陀的教義一開始就對科學思想采取開放的態度。

　　佛教能被科學界接受的原因之一是：佛教從來就不鼓勵刻板的教條主義，也不鼓勵盲目的信仰，不以「神」或「天啓」爲基礎，佛陀的教義包容了一切彈性和廣泛的思想。另一的原因是：科學精神可以在佛陀的覺悟過程中找到。佛陀發現和試驗真理的方法和精神，就是今天所謂的「科學方法」。科學家的成果，也是一樣在無數次的試驗和研究後才獲得的。

　　今天所謂的「科學方法」，在二十五世紀前，佛陀尋求內心的證悟時已經使用過了。佛陀鼓勵信徒要以超然的方式，觀察存在于內心的世界。科學家以同樣的方式觀察外在的世界。佛陀告誡信徒不要接受現成的理論，要再叁反覆的驗證後才接受。科學家同樣的以多次的試驗和證實後，才建立新的學說。佛陀不認爲他覺悟的經驗是屬于他個人的，科學家同樣的把自己研究的成果公諸于世。因此，在真理的探討，佛陀與現代的科學家一樣。爲了尋求最高的真理和覺悟的經驗，佛陀設定了一個實用性、科學性、可行性高的方法。雖然佛教充滿了科學精神，可是不要以爲佛教就等于科學。毫無疑問的，科學對人類有很大的貢獻，讓人類獲得從來未有過的舒適生活。在科學的協助下，今天，人類能像魚兒一樣在大海遨遊，像鳥兒一樣在天空飛翔，甚至還登陸月球。可是，科學有它一定的局限性，而且不斷的在變化、更新。科學無法有效的製約人類的心識，對道德無法提供控製或引導的方法。這是科學與佛教的最大差別。