Hinduism and science Flashcards
How did science come to India?
- 1800s, brought by the British who wanted to exploit India’s natural resources. 2. Vivekananda revised Hindu thought to make it compatible with western science.
What did vivekananda say about science?
It allows for the discovery of physical laws through scientific methods, just as the rishis discovered spiritual laws.
How did vivekananda see the vedas?
Timeless and impersonal laws that are accepted by testing and experience, just like science.
Why is it important to show Hinduism and science are compatible?
Proves Hinduism is valid and a precursor to western scientific traditions, Hinduism is not superstitious or inferior, it is advanced and superior.
How does science think the universe began?
Arose from a quantum vacuum of emptiness and activity. 13.7 billion years ago, the matter in the universe was concentrated into a single dense point which began to enlarge rapidly.
How does hindu cosmology think the universe began?
Sanskrit concept of zero is associated with both fullness and emptiness. Brahman comes from ‘brh’ meaning to expand, the universe is seen as an expanding Brahman.
How does science see the galaxy?
Part of a group of galaxies which form a cluster, held together by gravitational forces.
How does Hinduism see the galaxy?
This world and the next are all natural phenomena strung together by a thread- the immortal Brahman.
What does the Vishnu Purana say?
Vishnu is the universe’s creator, sustainer and destroyer. This takes place over a 9 billion year cycle known as a kalpa.
How do avatars link to evolution?
Bhagavad Purana has stories of avatars who rescue living beings from the forces of evil and preserve dharma. Some suggest these avatars relate to the different stages of evolution or level of samsara.
What do conservative Hindus think?
Vedas are the direct revelation of the gods and all that is stated in them (even if it is contradictory) must be accepted.
What do liberal Hindus think?
Science is a step toward knowing reality and religion completes this step. Science focuses on how things work and their origin, Hinduism aims to understand the ultimate purpose for everything in the universe.
What do most Hindus think?
The vedas contain divine revelation, but it has errors because it was written by humans. Ergo, parts of the vedas that are contradictory should be reinterpreted in a way that conforms to reason and science.
What was British medicine like?
Body was a mechanical object to be exercised, fed and kept in order with drugs and modern technology.
What is hindu medicine like?
Ayurveda- takes into account the person’s mind, body, food and environment to look at their health holistically. Focuses on five elements and restoring balance within the body.
