Hinduism and science Flashcards
How did science come to India?
It was brought by the British in the 1800s who wanted to exploit India’s natural resources to cope with demands of the industrial revolution.
How did vivekananda see science?
Science allows for the discovery of physical laws through scientific methods in the same way that the rishis who wrote the Vedas are the discoverers of spiritual laws.
How did vivekananda link science and the Vedas?
The Vedas are timeless and impersonal laws that are accepted through testing and experience, just like scientific laws. Advaita teaching on the realization of knowledge of Brahman is a method, like the scientific method, for the discovery of spiritual facts.
Why was science important for some Hindus?
It was important to absorb the western scientific tradition into Hinduism to show that Hinduism and science are compatible, thus proving that Hinduism is as valid as western science, it is not superstitious or inferior, but advanced and superior.
What does science say about the creation of the universe?
It arose from a quantum vacuum mix of emptiness and activity. 13.7billion years ago all the matter in the universe was concentrated into a single tiny point, this began to expand and is still doing so today.
What does Hinduism say about the creation of the universe?
The Sanskrit concept of Brahman is associated with both fullness and emptiness, the name Brahman comes from bhr meaning to expand, the universe is an expanding Brahman.
What does science say about the nature of the universe and its future?
This galaxy is part of a cluster of galaxies held together by gravitational forces/ the expansion of the universe will one day be reversed, causing the Big Crunch, which may lead to another Big Bang. This sees the universe as a process of creation and destruction over vast timespans.
What does Hinduism say about the nature of the universe and its future?
This world and the next are all strung together by a thread- the immortal Brahman. Vishnu is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe, this process takes place over a 9billion year period called a kalpa.
How do avatars link to evolution?
Spoken of in the Bhagavad Purana, they come to earth to rescue living beings from evil and maintain dharma, some suggest that the difference forms the avatars take relate to the different stages of evolution.
How do most Hindus see Hinduism and science?
The connection is not really important to them, they care more about key concepts such as moksha and the purpose of life.
How do conservatives see Hinduism and science?
The Vedas are seen as direct revelation, so infallible. Even if they are contradictory or go against science, they must be accepted.
How do liberals see Hinduism and science?
Science helps us to understand reality and religion helps. Science is about how things work and their origin, whilst hinduism aims to understand the ultimate purpose for all things in the universe.
How do most Hindus see the Vedas?
They contain divine revelation, but this has been noted by men, so has errors. Parts of the Vedas that go against reason must be reinterpreted in a way that conforms with reason and science.
How did modern medicine come to India?
Was brought by the British, modern medicine saw the body as a mechanical object to be exercised and kept in order by drugs and technology. It was meant to serve as a replacement for traditional hindu medicine.
What is traditional Hindu medicine?
Ayurveda, it looks at the person in a holistic sense, taking into account the mind, body, environment and the Gunas. Ayurvedic doctors must undergo at least 5 years’ worth of study and Ayurveda is recognized as an official alternative health system by the national institute of health.
