Two theories, relativity theory and quantum theory shook the very foundation of physics in the 20th century. Of the two, quantum theory reveals a truly mysterious sub-atomic world with its mind-boggling phenomena. For example, such entities as electrons, protons and photons (light particles) or waves as the occasion demands. This is called matter-wave duality. In Buddhist philosophy scholars have found a doctrine called catuskoti which is astonishingly similar to matter-wave duality. It violate the Aristotelion laws of thought. The book analyzes two apparently contradictory parallels: similarity between Buddhist philosophy and scientific thought, and resemblance between mystical catuskoti and mysterious matter-wave duality. The book also tries to dispel misconceptions harboured by lay persons about quantum theory.
Two theories, relativity theory and quantum theory shook the very foundation of physics in the 20th century. Of the two, quantum theory reveals a truly mysterious sub-atomic world with its mind-boggling phenomena. For example, such entities as electrons, protons and photons (light particles) or waves as the occasion demands. This is called matter-wave duality. In Buddhist philosophy scholars have found a doctrine called catuskoti which is astonishingly similar to matter-wave duality. It violate the Aristotelion laws of thought. The book analyzes two apparently contradictory parallels: similarity between Buddhist philosophy and scientific thought, and resemblance between mystical catuskoti and mysterious matter-wave duality. The book also tries to dispel misconceptions harboured by lay persons about quantum theory.
The article highlights those discoveries of quantum physics, the philosophical understanding of which leads researchers to compare its ontology with Buddhist ontology. These are phenomena that reveal the subjectivism of physics. Thus, the discovery of the fundamental role of the observer for quantum mechanical processes and the collapse of the wave function became a «bridge» for the rapprochement of quantum mechanics and Buddhist philosophy, which asserts the relative nature of reality. The phenomenon of quantum non-locality or the plurality of parallel worlds became another basis for seeing the similarity of quantum physics and Buddhism. The idea of universal interdependence, characteristic of relational interpretations of quantum physics, also contributes to strengthening the idea of its similarity with Buddhist ontology. However, as the analysis of two representative comparative approaches shows – one developed by W. Mansfield from the side of physics, and the other developed by A. A. Terentyev from the side of Buddhism – the general tendency to compare the ontology of quantum physics and Buddhism is based on the incorrect reduction of Buddhist ontology to the doctrine of dependent origination and the wrongful identification of emptiness with dependent origination. Although the perception of Buddhist ontology as «Indra’s net» serves for comparativists from the side of physics, as well as for a wide circle of intellectuals, as the first step towards understanding the closeness of Buddhist philosophy to modern science, nevertheless, such popular interpretations are not entirely correct.
For over nine decades, quantum mechanics has profoundly shaped our understanding of nature, offering explanations for the stability of atoms, the formation of mole cules, the properties of materials, and phenomena such as light or radioactivity. It is essential to modern technologies—from microchips to lasers—and underpins the physics of elementary particles. Yet, despite its successes, it remains a deeply mysterious theory, confronting a central enigma: why does the quantum world behave so differently from everyday reality? Elements such as superposition and quantum entanglement—which allow particles to exist simultaneously in multiple states or remain interconnected regardless of distance—contradict classical world intuitions. This gap between microscopic and macroscopic behavior has given rise to what is known as the “measurement problem,” raising fundamental questions about the nature of reality. Diverging interpretations have led to two major schools of thought: anti-realism, promoted by Niels Bohr, which holds that reality depends on the observer and their interaction with measurement instruments; and realism, supported by Albert Einstein, which argues that quantum mechanics is incomplete and that eality exists independently of observation. Bohr’s complementary philosophy and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle were central to the formulation of the “Copenhagen interpretation,” which became dominant in the 20th century. However, the persistent opposition of scientists like Einstein and Schrödinger inspired generations of physicists to seek a unification between quantum mechanics and relativity, culminating in new theories such as loop quantum gravity and string theory. Thus, the debate between realism and anti-realism remains alive, and philosophy continues to play a crucial role in exploring the new foundations of physics.
Abstract What happens when the Dalai Lama meets with leading physicists and a historian? This book is the carefully edited record of the fascinating discussions at a Mind and Life conference in which five leading physicists and a historian (David Finkelstein, George Greenstein, Piet Hut, Arthur Zajonc, Anton Zeilinger, and Tu Weiming) discussed with the Dalai Lama current thought in theoretical quantum physics, in the context of Buddhist philosophy. A contribution to the science-religion interface, and a useful explanation of our basic understanding of quantum reality, couched at a level that intelligent readers without a deep involvement in science can grasp. In the tradition of other popular books on resonances between modern quantum physics and Zen or Buddhist mystical traditions--notably The Dancing Wu Li Masters and The Tao of Physics, this book gives a clear and useful update of the genuine correspondences between these two rather disparate approaches to understanding the nature of reality.
This book presents a new approach to understanding the foundation of quantum physics through the "quantum wave model" hypothesis. It addresses some of the key challenges in the current uantum theory, including the conflict between quantum mechanics and relativity, and offers a comprehensive solution to many of the existing mysteries in the field. By proposing that the vacuum is a dielectric medium and quantum particles are quantized excitation waves of the vacuum, the book provides a clear physical interpretation of wave-particle duality and explains the physical basis of energy, momentum, and mass.With topics ranging from the physical foundation of quantum mechanics to the derivation of the quantum wave equations and the resolution of the conflict between quantum physics and relativity, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the most pressing issues in the field. Written at a level accessible to undergraduate students and senior researcher scientists alike, this book offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of quantum mechanics and its fundamental role in shaping our understanding of the physical world.
In Hawking’s view physics has been broken up into many partial theories, while the ultimate goal of physicists is to unify them. The two basic theories of 20th-century physics, relativity theory and quantum theory, are based on completely different logical prerequisites and exactly separate: matter is described as particles in relativity theory and as waves in quantum mechanics. Here, based on the identical logical prerequisites, we unify Einstein’s special relativity (SR) and de Broglie’s matter-wave theory (MWT) into the theory of dualistic relativity (DR), taking a significant step toward the unification of relativity and quantum mechanics. From the definition of time, we derive the Lorentz transformation in differential form and establish the theory of DR, which generalizes the wave-particle duality of matter motion, and uniformly derives Einstein’s formula E=mc2, Planck’s equation E=hf, and de Broglie’s relation λ=h/p. From the logical prerequisite completely different from Einstein’s hypothesis of the invariance of light speed and along the logical path completely different from Einstein’s SR, we have deduced the whole theoretical system of Einstein’s SR and de Broglie’s MWT. In the theory of DR, the two great formulae originally separated, Einstein’s formula E=mc2 and Planck’s equation E=hf, become a pair of twin formulae unified in an identical theoretical system.
The intricate dance between quantum mechanics and the Heart Sūtra's philosophical insights illuminates the enigmatic nature of the universe. This paper ventures into the wave-particle duality inherent in quantum mechanics and its unexpected alignments with the ancient wisdom encapsulated in the Heart Sūtra, revealing a reality not as a steadfast entity but as a spectrum of potentialities that morphs in the wake of observation. A pivotal focus is on the duality's emphasis on emptiness and existence, pushing the boundaries of conventional thought. Quantum mechanics, intriguingly, reverberates with Buddhist ideologies, especially the intertwined nature of all phenomena. This alignment finds further resonance in the Trikāya doctrine, clarifying reality at the quantum level to the observable material reality. As the exploration into the universe's depths continues, the Heart Sūtra emerges as a crucial beacon, underscoring the all-encompassing nature of existence and the transformative potential of the Prajnaparamita. This paper marries the Heart Sūtra's teachings with quantum science's revelations, bridging the ancient spiritual realm and contemporary scientific frontiers. Through this confluence of ancient wisdom and modern science, the paper offers an enriched perspective for spiritual and scientific scholars, emphasizing the intertwined fabric of reality.