Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge [Paperback]

Vic Mansfield (Author), Lama Dalai (Introduction)

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Product Details

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Templeton Press; 1 edition (Mar 1 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159947137X
ISBN-13: 978-1599471372
Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.7 x 1.4 cm
Shipping Weight: 227 g
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #477,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge addresses the complex issues of dialogue and collaboration between Buddhism and science, revealing connections and differences between the two. While assuming no technical background in Buddhism or physics, this book strongly responds to the Dalai Lama’s “heartfelt plea” for genuine collaboration between science and Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has written a foreword to the book and the Office of His Holiness will translate it into both Chinese and Tibetan.

In a clear and engaging way, this book shows how the principle of emptiness, the philosophic heart of Tibetan Buddhism, connects intimately to quantum nonlocality and other foundational features of quantum mechanics. Detailed connections between emptiness, modern relativity, and the nature of time are also explored. For Tibetan Buddhists, the profound interconnectedness implied by emptiness demands the practice of universal compassion. Because of the powerful connections between emptiness and modern physics, the book argues that the interconnected worldview of modern physics also encourages universal compassion. Along with these harmonies, the book explores a significant conflict between quantum mechanics and Tibetan Buddhism concerning the role of causality.

The book concludes with a response to the question: "How does this expedition through the heart of modern physics and Tibetan Buddhism—from quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology, to emptiness, compassion, and disintegratedness—apply to today's painfully polarized world?" Despite differences and questions raised, the book's central message is that there is a solid basis for uniting these worldviews. From this basis, the message of universal compassion can accompany the spread of the scientific worldview, stimulating compassionate action in the light of deep understanding—a true union of love and knowledge.

Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics will appeal to a broad audience that includes general readers and undergraduate and graduate students in science and religion courses.

About the Author

Vic Mansfield iwas professor of physics and astronomy at Colgate University. Along with a wide range of science courses, he taught courses focusing on Tibetan Buddhism and Jungian psychology. He was an award-winning teacher who published scores of technical articles in science and several dozen interdisciplinary papers connecting physics to Tibetan Buddhism and depth psychology. For nearly four decades, he practiced and studied with spiritual leaders in the U.S., Europe, and India. He published two previous books: Synchronicity, Science, and Soul-Making (Open Court Publishing, 1995) and Head and Heart: A Personal Exploration of Science and the Sacred (Quest Books, 2002).

Vic Mansfield died peacefully on June 3, 2008, after a valiant two-year struggle with lymphoma.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com ^(beta)

Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly rewarding book, Sep 1 2008

By Richard N - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge (Paperback)

Many surprises and intriguing conclusions await any reader willing to follow this book's discussions attentively and carefully.
No previous training in physics or Buddhism is assumed. Indeed, this text could serve as a first introduction to either discipline. The author, a professor of physic and astronomy, tells us that a major impetus for writing the book was a call by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for works that would introduce Tibetan monks to issues in modern science.
Although the author makes his points with great care and precision, his general tone is light and often quite personal, with frequent anecdotes, occasional humor, photographs, and poetry. The author's warmth shines through. Nevertheless, the discussion is layered, so that deeper meanings are available to more knowledgeable readers.
I've enjoyed a few other books that compare modern physics to Asian philosophies. This one stands out because it focuses in detail on some very specific issues without hand-waving or short-cuts. Among the problems discussed are: can an entity be truly independent? is there invariably a direction to time? can an event be "uncaused"? do physical laws support the possibility of "compassion" as understood in Buddhism? Don't assume you already know what conclusions are reached.
This book comes across as written with feeling and honesty. For all its intellectual concentration, I believe it was primarily a labor of love.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For more information and sample chapters, Mar 2 2008

By Victor N. Mansfield - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge (Paperback)

For those wanting to read entire chapters or the introduction by the Dalai Lama, go to the author's website at www.lightlink.com/vic. That site has much more information about the book. It may help you decide if it is for you.

Vic

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars