Expert: Justin Choo - 4/5/2009

Question
Hi Justin Choo,

How are you doing these days? Hope you are doing fine. I would be really glad if you can take your valuable time and provide answers to below questions according to Buddhism.

1.Do plants have consciousness like humans and other animals?
2.Is it necessary to have a nervous system in order to feel the pain and have consciousness?
3.Do spiritual lives have consciousness?
4.How Buddha has defined the consciousness? Is it related to the nervous system and brain or is it a separate thing?

Thanks and regards,
Newgirl.

May the Blessings of the Triple Gem always be with you.  

Answer
Hi Newgirl,

I am fine, thank you.

1.Do plants have consciousness like humans and other animals?
Plants do not have consciousness.  They are living things as against living beings.

2.Is it necessary to have a nervous system in order to feel the pain and have consciousness?
I am not a scientist or a doctor; but I would assume that the nervous system enables us to feel pain.  I don't think "consciousness" depends on a nervous system.

3.Do spiritual lives have consciousness?
Do you mean beings in the "spirit" planes?
All beings have consciousness.

4.How Buddha has defined the consciousness? Is it related to the nervous system and brain or is it a separate thing?
Take the computer as an example.  The hardware/CPU is the "brain".  The soft wares are the various systems.  The electrical current is the consciousness.  Without the electric current, nothing works.  

Consciousness is the kammic energy, like the electric current.  

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo