Expert: Justin Choo - 3/13/2009

Question
How does buddhism fare with science? As you might know, many world religions today have some quandaries with modern science, (christian creationists object to sciences theory of evolution, for example) but what does buddhism have to say about it? For example reincarnation. Has science found any evidence of this? Anything to the contrary?

Or karma? I have read that it works with 'karmic energy', and that for example this is needed to fertilize an egg and produce new life. Has this karmic energy ever been found, is there any evidence for it?

On the other hand, I have also heard of buddhism referred to AS a science... and also that many of the things it says about human psychology are scientifically sound. What would be your opinion on that?

What does science have to say on buddhsim, and vice versa? How do they go together, if they do at all?

Answer
Hi Boris,

Thank you for asking me.

Buddhism never has any qualms with science. In fact it is more scientific than science.  The Buddha spoke about the universe and the cycle of formation, growth, decay and disolution of stars and planets.  

It is always very difficult to convince people of the workings of kamma.  But let's call it the universal law of retribution; or cause and effect.  In physics, it is known that every action creates a reaction.  This law of kamma works the same way.  Take a common scenario;  When one does an evil deed, one would immediately feel a corresponding reaction in one's mind.  To go deeper into this discussion will always entail some disagreement.  It takes a deeper study of Buddhism to understand kamma.

Buddhism is about knowing the nature of this existence, and how to have peace of mind.  

Einstein made a comment that if any religion were still to exist in the advent of scientific discoveries, it would be Buddhism.

Take care.

Justin Choo