Philosophical notions have always influenced physics, and we can see that those ideas have only come from Western thinkers throughout its history. However, Buddhist thinkers half a globe away were grappling with many of the same issues, such as the nature of time and causation, or how awareness relates to the world.
Because they came from a distinct historical perspective, these Buddhists looked for different kinds of answers to the same issues that their Western counterparts did. In this way, there may be insights from Buddhist philosophy’s vast history that are useful to physicists working on their own frontiers.
Two major publications on Buddhism and physics were released over 50 years ago. Gary Zukav’s The Dancing Wu Li Masters was first, followed by Fritjof Capra’s The Tao of Physics.
Both volumes were international blockbusters, and they intended to demonstrate how quantum mechanics — the study of molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles — could be used to retrieve Buddhist philosophy’s essential doctrines.
Capra’s 1975 best-seller astounded physicists by suggesting that quantum mechanics discoveries confirmed Buddhism’s ancient worldview, but more for its brilliant descriptions of quantum mechanics than for its contention that Buddhism and physics are inextricably linked.
Quantum interpretations are the result of these arguments crystalizing. While physicists agree on how to apply quantum mechanics’ laws to produce things like lasers and computers, they disagree on what the equations mean philosophically.
They have no idea what to make of them. This is where Buddhism enters the picture. One interpretation of quantum physics appears to be compatible with Buddhist philosophical ideas.
The underlying issue with both books is interpretation, particularly quantum interpretation. Quantum physics has been known to be strange from its inception in the early twentieth century.
From tiny particles bouncing off each other like micro billiard balls, classical physics constructs a full picture of the world. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, makes it difficult to visualize.
The Copenhagen Interpretation is one of these interpretations. It is named for Neils Bohr, one of the pioneers of quantum physics, who lived in the city.
The interpretation appears to have some intriguing parallels with classical ideas that arose from India and Asia during the period when Buddhism was the dominant religion.
Where does Quantum Buddhism lack?
Is there an issue with combining quantum mechanics and a Buddhist perspective? It’s not the Buddhist side of things that’s the issue. Buddhism has been around for millennia and has thrived on its own. The issue is instead with identifying the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics can be interpreted in a variety of ways, including the many worlds interpretation, pilot wave theory, objective-collapse theory, relational quantum mechanics, and quantum Bayesianism.
Some of these would have little in common with Buddhist thought. As a result, prejudice is the fundamental flaw of Quantum Buddhism.
Published By: Manan Khurana
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
