[MD] Intellectual Level

[MarshaV]

On Buddhism being a simply a religion, and on its use of rational analysis as a methoology:

"To understand Buddhism on its own terms, it is imperative that we in the West recognize the cultural specificity of our terms _religion, philosophy, and science_ and not assume from the outset that Buddhism will somehow naturally conform to our linguistic categories and ideologies and ideological assumptions.  Buddhism clearly includes profoundly religious elements, as outlined by Harvey, as well as strong philosophical themes and reasoning from its inception.  Most important for the theme of this volume, it has also, from its very origins, established rigorous methods for experientially exploring the personal and impersonal phenomena that make up the natural world.  Such techniques, many of which are designated by the English term meditation, frequently entail careful observation followed by rational analysis.  In short, there are elements of Buddhist theory and practice that may be deemed scientific, but in flatly classifying Buddhism as a religion both its philosophical and scientific features are simply overlooked.   

      (Wallace, Alan,'Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground',p.5)




So many wonderful books and so little time...  





I include Harvey's description of religion which is also interesting:

"According to Van Harvey, we deem a system of belief and practice to be religious if it expresses a dominant interest in certain universal and elemental features of human existence as those features bear on the human desire for liberation and authentic existence."

 (Wallace, Alan,'Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground',p.4)
 
 

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