Believe me, there was a time when I considered religion as a diabolic extravagance of public time and public wealth. In spite of my beliefs, I used to frequently visit mandir1 with my mother during school days. The satisfaction of bringing about the smile on her face has been the sole reason for these visits. So, naturally, when I went to college, I stopped visiting mandirs altogether. During that time, I could have convinced you that the function of religion is merely to provide hope to people who operate from the point of fear. But, that all changed, and the reason for such a drastic change was my willingness to listen to views that countered mine at that time. Therefore, I urge you all to show me the same willingness and read this article with an open mind, even if you consider yourself an atheist, especially if you consider yourself a true atheist. I will try to answer the question which most of us have asked ourselves during the time of our life when we were taught the ways of religion buy our mothers and the ways of science by our schools. Is religion as acceptable as science, or is at least scientific, or that it has any function at all with life as such.
Science and religion have something very similar and common; both of them have been striving sincerely to serve the citizens of the state with the maximum quota of happiness. As the men in numbers grew, so do their demands, and the state started its pilgrimage with religion as its spouse.2 It is undeniable fact that during their prime, all religions of the world have served their own immediate generation. However, the societies developed into the new patterns and more complicated scheme of things with time. The same old religion was not able to serve these over-developed societies; and somewhere around the Middle Ages, science joined the company with the same sacred motive of serving the state. The days of monopoly for the religion was over, and now the time has come when it has a worthy competitor. But the old religion, disgusted, jealous and almost exasperated, stayed behind, and science kept pace with the moving world.
Today, we have conquered the space and time (metaphorically), and have even travelled beyond the solar system (actually).3 Scientists and researchers all over the world have discovered means and methods to save the present generation from the clutches of the wild and irresistible powers of nature. Yet, for all our sweat and toil, we have won only fresh fields of carping sorrows in the inner world.2 No matter what we attain, we ultimately feel a sense of emptiness inside us. To fill this void, we are continuously running towards various materialistic pleasures. These pleasures, being finite, lacks the capability to endow us with infinite happiness. In the end, some of us ask ourselves the path by which we can transcend the inner turmoil, and reach the blissful state.
The methods to conquer the inner world and to attain bliss have been scientifically discovered and documented by the Great Rishis in the Upanishads. Just as to the scientists, the world of objects provided the field of enquiry, so also, to the Rishis, life as such presented itself as their theme for investigation and study.2
Supposing a scientist feels a sentimental attachment to the sample of common salt in his test tube; surely, he cannot thereafter do much of an investigation and discover the composition of sodium chloride. Similarly, if we are to maintain a sentimental attachment to life as such, it would generate a host of false values in us. It would distort and dim our vision of the whole.
The Great Rishis, as true investigators of life, developed in themselves a superhuman detachment from life, and by their intense and thorough research declared the truth about life. Some of the insights are as follows:
- Life is a series of continuous and unbroken experiences.
- If the total life be the sum total of all experiences, then a successful life is that in which the individual can have a larger number of successful and happy experiences.
- A life of failure is that in which the majority of experiences are failures.
- No experience in life is possible without the fundamental 3 factors, namely, the experiencer, the experienced, and a set relationship between the two called experiencing. Unless these 3 factors function in the same given field of time and space no experience can come to pass.
- An individual is a sum total of the physical, the mental, the intellectual, and the spiritual personalities.
- The world outside is but a projection of the active mind.
We, the scientists of the modern day, are in our own way the investigators of the ultimate truth. But our field of enquiry is the world of objects or the 'experienced'. On the other hand, the Great Rishis investigated the ultimate Truth by analyzing the 'experiencer', or the world of subjects. Both are scientists, the only distinction between them is their field of enquiry and in the methods of their investigation. Therefore, I conclude that religion is as scientfic as science. Unintelligent and blind followers may have made the best of philosophies serve as lifeless prescriptions for ritualism. But, if we can find the true source of knowledge, the Upanishads, and can implement the truths declared by the Rishis in our current life, we can see the strength of religion and its vital dynamism.
1 मन: inner-self (mind), दिर: dwelling place. So, mandir means a place where mind dwells. I refrain from using the word temple, because of it's ability to describe the true function of mandir.
2 Swami Chinmayananda, Isavasya Upanishad: God in and as everything
3 https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status/
4 https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/vyasablack-genius-of-india
ABOUT ME:
To know about the author Tanul Gupta (@haxins), please go through the introductory post
Tanul bhai u just made me remind of 'wings of fire by DR. kalam'...he has also explained the interrelationship between science and religion as beautifully as u have and i fully agree with you on it...science and religion just go on parallel paths till the religion is not being practiced arbitrarily or without a sense of reasoning...actually Iam not a much of a believe in dieties so i never pay visit to any king of temple or religious places. If i ever go to these places then the reason is only the historical perspective or the beauty of architectury and sculptures in those places...one should just has his divotion and service to humankind and mother nature...
@devsingh Thanks bhai!
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i wanted such articles from you man, i might post some like this myself, huge admirer of ancient science of india!
@jatinkkalra Thanks!
I think both should be respected,They both have their points which have been proven right at certain points!
in public discussions of evolution and creationism
we are sometimes told by creationists of religion
alike that we must chose between belief in creation
and acceptance of the theory of evolution between
science and religion
Great Article, But I think Science is all about R&D and Facts whereas Religion is About beliefs.
@haxins I think you have a great content and great potential to move forward.
but on the is missing from your side is regular posting. change your priority bro.
very impressive article @haxins
To the question in your title, my Magic 8-Ball says:
Hi! I'm a bot, and this answer was posted automatically. Check this post out for more information.
I don't think so, at least not in India.. but I think a time will come when we have to think practically .
@anishag Please explain yourself.
@haxins
Your explanation is very good. keep it up
Good explanation of MANDIR word
@hirshan I heard it during one of the lectures I attended during #BeThere camp.
science has proofs but in fact of religion many things can't be explained
@rishad19 I totally agree that Science has proofs. In case of religion (particularly Dharmic religions) many things have been well thought of. But before delving into that fact, I would like to know that whether you agree with the observation that science is study of objective world.
@rishad19 Not everything in Science has proofs. Some things are taken at face value. For ex. the collapse of quantum wave function when it is measured is observed, but nobody knows why it actually takes place.
every rituals of our religion has some science logic
i believe our ancient times vrushi was a scientist
@haxins i think these two topics are relatively differnet. As i think we can't say religion is a science. From my perspective religion seems to be art.
@kmayegaindia Both are relatively different. I agree. But the point is that the methods involved in understanding both the inner world and the outer world are as scientific as possible.
There is a theory (mostly western philosophy) that religion and science cannot co-exist. We all have read this theory in our books, and somewhere internally we have memorized it. But the theory is written in context of Christianity. In case of Indian Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism etc.), this theory does not hold. I can tell you the name of some of the greatest scientists alive who are followers of Vedanta (Hindu Philosophy as described in Vedas).
Please read my post, and you will know that I am not talking about ritualism. I am talking about philosophy of vedanta, which is basically the science of understanding self.
@haxins There is a widespread assumption that science and religion are incompatible with each other; it may be acceptable for a scientist to practise religion, but--it is believed--this should be seen as despite, not because of his or her scientific profession and knowledge. Such an assumption is wrong. Examination of conflicts between science and religion (such as those about evolution) show that they always arise through misinterpretation or tenacious presuppositions!!!
@rhn268 Thanks! This widespread assumption started from the west where scientists were killed by the church just for stating the fact that the earth is round or it revolves around Sun. These are not true for Dharmic religions. Yet, we all are educated in western philosophy and basically repeat the words of Europeans. We should stop for a while and think why religion and science could not co-exist. Everyone should read Bhagvad Gita and then comment regarding the authority of its knowledge.
its really true...srimad bhagvatgita has really changed the life of not only commoners but top and real life heroes as well...
Just follow a religious thing which is scientific based.
@yashshah991 Please be clear. I would definitely like to answer any of your doubts, and in the process I myself can learn many things.
There science behind every thing but unfortunately in India people only focus on religion cast no ones carriers about humanity. Thinks need to be change.
thank you haxins for posting this wounderful post
I am in the favor of religion.
Where science fails religion works.
I can give you numerous examples but the one i want to quote here is the peace we receive be chanting the name of the god or by simply listening to the bhajans.
i urge you to recite " Hare ram Hare ram, Ram Ram Hare hare:
Hare krishna hare krishna, Krishna krishna hare hare"
You will notice that most of the times our mind goes in a state of focus and concentration while chanting. Nothing else comes into our mind other than God.
@yashgupta I can feel your words. That doesn't make the religion scientific. But clearly, your words highlight the importance of religion in our life.
its too long tanul... can u explain in short over here? when u get free...
It's the two collaterally coexisting thing and shouldn't be collided to compare there mottos.
huge post , it must be in the trending section
Good one Tanul. Learnt new things
Actually i don't like to follow any religion because it divides us
For me , both the religion r respectable.
Nice article . I know only one religion humanity.
@sati13 It's a cliche. Make something new.
@haxins nice post my friend. You present points very well. Keep posting good stuff my friend..
@haxins Bro, According to my opinion we cant get inner silence and mind freshness at any place expect temple.
@haxins
Tanul you put a lot of effort in writing this and it came really good. I am not much of a believer in religion but you points are really good if i think about it.
Keep it up.
@guggis
Thanks!
When you don't believe in something, first list down all the things that you do not believe in. May be after listing it all down, you will realize that religion aka spirituality has more to offer.
@haxins great work ..keep supporting
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Wow nice topic you choose ,this is my fvt topic dear
Amazing content mate. Keep it up
Both are contradictory but in early times people used religion to follow the science because at that time fear of god is more than death.
@vashistha Do you really believe that both are contradictory? If so, what differences do you find?
Great article dost.
It's very well written for sure. Though I may not agree with you final inference of religion being as scientific as science, but I agree with your flow of thoughts. The reason for former being a part role of religion was as a tool to explain the nature, yes. However when you say being scientific , I end up thinking of your words - 'field of enquiry'. Science is defined and systemized field of enquiry. You find a correlation and mechanistic insights. Now rishis must have done that, and they might be close to doing science as we know it today. But that juat makes them rational thinkers. It is not necessarily a comparison between science and religion.
PS: A very thought providing article.
According to me both the topics are very much different. But very well written post. Upvoted. Keep posting.
@haxins You write a great article about science and religion. Both are important for people. You explain these concepts excellently. Great job
Good job