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January:
Dharma and
Science
Examining the link between modern science and
Sanathan Dharma
Summary
In Hinduism, there is no conflict between science and
religion. The Vedic scriptures
do not just describe Hindu philosophy, but they also contains many valid
scientific facts. The Vedas
describe in great detail mathematical concepts such as zero and the decimal
system. Psychology is described
in the Yajur Veda. The Mandukya Upanishad describes the different stages of
sleeping. The laws of physics,
including acceleration, (Ksanika), momentum (Vega), and vibration (Spandana)
have been defined by Sage Kanada.
The Rig Veda states that water is formed from hydrogen and
oxygen. The Ten Avatars of
Vishnu show the progress of human evolution from the creature of the ocean to
an upright human. The creation
of the universe from one point (The Big Bang) is also supported in several
stories. The timeline of the universe is outlined in detail with surprising
accuracy in many Hindu texts, confirmed by relatively recent scientific discovery that the
universe is 12 billion years old.
World-renowned scientist Karl Sagan once said that Hinduism is the
only religion to speak in terms of the universe being billions of years old.
Hinduism itself adopts a rationalist attitude in the
matter of religion. It tries to
study the facts of human life in a scientific spirit. The central Hindu thought is that
macrocosmic matter (Prakriti) exists but it is not all there is; there is
some spiritual reality behind it which animates it and is called “Param atma
tattva” (world consciousness or the universal life spirit).
Science is essentially a compartmentalization of all the
knowledge humans have gained about the external world through our
senses. Dharma is the
compartmentalization of all the wisdom gained by humanity. Therefore, science and dharma
compliment one another. As the
Isa-Upanishad puts it, “He who had both spiritual wisdom (Dharma) and secular
knowledge (science) together keeps death at bay through the latter and
experiences immortality through the former.”
“Dharma without science is superstition. Science without dharma is
intellectual madness.”
- Swami
Chinmayananda
Science is the gathering of information and formulating
hypothesis through observation.
One rationalizes that an observation becomes a law after the repeated
experiments yield the same result.
Experiments are conducted with controlled variables, and in an essence
must be pure. For experiments to
be valid, they must be conducted within the laws of Dharma, honestly and
ethically. Similarly, Dharma
must become the “Law”, which can be experienced by all, not just a few. The essence of Dharma is to purify
one’s mind. Purifying one’s mind
will naturally lead to the performance of good deeds. It also leads to the development of
an insight into the basic characteristics of life. By following one’s dharma and sharpening one’s mind by
expunging all evil thoughts, one becomes peaceful and tranquil. As this practice matures, one
naturally develops a deep insight into the fundamental laws of life and becomes
harmonious with these. The scriptures say “The Knowledge that liberates one
from all psychological entanglements is the only real Knowledge.” and that is
the knowledge of Self.
Understanding one’s Self and the supreme being will give one the understanding
of the entire universe.
“Science without Dharma is blind and Dharma
without Science is lame – for Dharma gives us the vision of what ought to be
done, and Science gives us the power to do it.”
- Albert Einstein
Science gives us the ability to take of ourselves
physically, especially in its applied version, technology. Dharma provides us with an
understanding of the very purpose of our existence. For a society to succeed harmoniously, science and Dharma must
be integrated in a proper way.
When the developments of science have unleashed enormous powers such
as the creation of the nuclear bomb, channeling this power so that human
beings can survive is in Dharma’s hands. Whether science will soon lead us to clone future Hitlers
or create perfect babies through gene therapy, only Dharma alone can control
Man from misusing the powers of science and technology.
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