“The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts”-The Buddha
It all started a decade ago when I was an inquisitive 13 year old. I read a statement in my science textbook: The electrons in an atom move around the nucleus just as planets revolve around the sun in the solar system. I then wondered why??? I decided to find the answer. I referred to my text books which said electromagnetism and gravitation were the reasons for electrons and planets to behave the way they do. Studying those theories automatically leads to Quantum mechanics and The Special Theory of Relativity. According to The Special theory of relativity (theory which explains phenomena at the macroscopic level), the influence of an event can be felt only after the event is seen. The essential point being Relativity is deterministic which conflicts with the non deterministic aspect of quantum mechanics (theory which explains phenomena at the microscopic level). It startled me to realize that how god could have used two contrasting theories to create the universe. I decided it needs more than science to answer the question initially raised.
I turned to religion and automatically to advaitha. Interest in theology motivated me to also study another contemporary religion: Buddhism. For the benefit of my readers who are not familiar with the basic fundamentals of advaitham and buddhism, here is a brief introduction. “Brahma sathyam jagat mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah”. Meaning Brahman is the only truth and the world is an illusion. There is ultimately no difference between Brahman and individual self. Ishvara in Hinduism is defined as all perfect, Omniscient, Omnipresent, incorporeal, independent creator, ruler and destroyer of the world and is a causeless, eternal and non changeable. While Ishvara is the lord, Maya (Ignorance) is his servant. Ignorance is the cause of unhappiness in this mortal world.
The core beliefs of Buddhism are shunyata (emptiness) and anatman (no-self). Buddha set an important trend in nontheism. They deny the notion of an omnipotent and omniscient god. They define god as a product of human ignorance and weakness and desire. In one of his discourses he says “It is not proper for a wise man to say this alone is the truth and every thing else is false” He says “come and see” rather than “come and believe”. My journey in this direction also left me confused.
After exerting all the efforts I realized that every theory which tries to explain a phenomenon has some set of axioms which they say must be accepted with unquestionable faith. To summarize the following philosophical frameworks listed in alphabetical order:
Advaitha-God is omniscient. Ishvara and Maya are infinitely present. And universe is a manifestation of the two.
Buddhism-There is nothing. Everything is shunyatha.
Quantum Mechanics-Non determinism is the underlying principle. Everything is probabilistic. The position and velocity can never be simultaneously accurately determined.
Special Theory of Relativity-Whatever be the frame of reference, all observers will measure the same speed of light. There is a nothing above the speed of light.
Instead of relying on reasoning as a way to know the truth it seems inevitable to accept validity of certain axioms. In short, faith seems to be the answer. For all of us who are complacent that we are students of science and therefore the truth, and write off ancestors as superstitious ignorant mob, I feel this is something worth taking a note. However, the cloud of confusion has still not cleared. I continue to wonder why!!!!!!
