Rating: 
Summary: The science of enlightenment.
Review: "If there is any religion that could respond to the needs of modern science," Einstein said, "it would be Buddhism" (p. 282). Drawn from their extraordinary dialogues, Matthieu Ricard and Trinh Thuan explore Buddhist teachings and modern science in THE QUANTUM AND THE LOTUS. "Buddhism is basically a science of enlightenment," Ricard writes in the Introduction to this book. Before becoming a Buddhist monk and translator for the Dalai Lama, Ricard trained as a moleculor biologist and worked with a Nobel prize-winning scientist. Thuan, a Vietnamese Buddhist, became an acclaimed astrophysicist after studying at the California Institute of Technology. "Buddhism contends that if we want to grasp the true nature of reality, we must engage much more fully with the philosophical conundrums that quatum physics has revealed" (p. 113). This is the basic premise of THE QUANTUM AND THE LOTUS.The Buddha discouraged blind faith. In fact, he said, "Investigate the validity of my teachings as you would examine the purity of gold, rubbing it against a stone, hammering it, melting it. Do not accept my words simply out of respect for me. Accept them when you see that they are true" (p. 10). In their compelling dialogues, Ricard and Thuan explore life's big questions. Why are we alive? Why do we die? Why do we suffer? How did the universe begin? Is there an all-knowing Creator responsible for the remarkable harmony and precision of the universe? Is the phenomena of the universe interdependent and nonseparable? Why is the science of elementary particles important to everyday life? Why should the impermanence of phenomena incite us to live life differently? What is consciousness and where does it come from? Why does the human brain question the meaning of life and our place in the world? What are the limitations of analytical and contemplative thought, and can science ever reveal an "ultimate truth"? Are there any common grounds between Buddhist teachings and modern science? For Ricard, "the most fascinating part of this confrontation between the natural sciences and Buddhism is in the analysis of the ultimate nature of things" (p. 269). For Thuan, "these conversations form part of an ongoing dialogue between science and Buddhism. The most important thing that they taught me was that there is a definite convergence and resonance between the Buddhist and scientific visions of reality. Some of Buddhism's views on the world of phenomena are stikingly similar to the underlying notions of modern physics--in particular, its two main grand theories: quantum mechanics, which is the physics of the infinitely small; and relativity, the physics of the infinitely large" (p. 276). Perhaps this is the book Fritjof Capra envisioned writing someday after his TAO OF PHYSICS, integrating Buddhism and modern science. Like Capra's 1975 classic, THE QUANTUM AND THE LOTUS reveals that, "made of stardust, we share the same cosmic history as the lions on the savannas and the lavendars in the fields. We are all connected through time and space, and thus interdependent" (p. 280). And like Capra, coauthors Ricard and Thuan reveal, in non-technical terms, "Science can operate without spirituality. Spirituality can exist without science. But man, to be complete, needs both" (p. 282). G. Merritt
Rating: 
Summary: THE SCIENTIST & THE MONK: A WONDERFUL DIALOGUE
Review: 'Quantum & The Lotus' is a wonderful and lively read. One enjoys being the observer to a fascinating colloquy between a French Buddhist monk and a Vietnamese-born astrophysicist who compare and contrast the teachings of Buddhism with the latest theoretical understandings of quantum physics. Like most intelligent dialogues, it is an exploration and sharing of ideas, and as a result, one comes away not only with more answers but even more questions.
Comparisons to Fritjof Capras 'The Tao Of Physics' are inevitable, but this reminds me more of a little known film called 'Mindwalk', which is esentially a trialogue between a scientist, a poet, and a poltician. While I enjoyed that film very much, 'Quantum and the Lotus' is the exploration I'd hoped to see when I first watched 'Mindwalk'.
In 'Q&L', you see more ways in which East and West are coming together and interacting. We get a brief glimpse of science and spirituality co-existing peacefully and begin to see the outlines of how the two domains might even inform and nurture one another. It is another example of the Integral approach that is so needed at this time in the world.
The conversational quality of the text gives it a liveliness and spontaneity that often lacks in books of this sort. For anyone enjoys these kinds of books I would higly recommend 'Q&L', as well as, 'The Monk & The Philosopher, and the series of books from Mind & Life Institute.
Rating:
Summary: This is good
Review: A book that most people should read as it is a book most people think about once in their lives. I am absolutely happy I bought it. The points of view for origins are unbiased and do leave you with a reinforcement of what you already believe. Origins and destiny. The only reason I would write a book review is to say yes or no on buying a book, if you have any interest in this subject, I say yes.
I also recommend an astounding book where science meets religion in a remarkable way, a must read, SB 1 or God by Karl Mark Maddox
Rating:
Summary: Finally
Review: Finally, a real scientist and a real Buddhist philosopher present a fair, balanced, and realistic dialogue on the correspondence between the modern scientific and Buddhist cosmologies. Watch out, Fritjof Capra and Wes Nisker, we're coming to getcha! Reality breaks through with a vengeance... Hopefully, this book will set a new standard for writing on the subject of Eastern religions and the "new science." No longer will solipsistic arm-waving be allowed - only sincere and open communication, from the heart, between truly informed scientific and spiritual perspectives. I find this book refreshing, hard-nosed, unafraid, and therefore liberating from our current fuzzy literature in this area. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Matthieu and Trinh.
Rating:
Summary: This book has helped me see the big picture
Review: First of all, this is a unique book that helps you really understand buddhism especially if you are familiar with modern day physics. Robert Thurman, the Tibetan Schoolar said that Buddhism is "an education system", not a religion. Then the steps that one takes reading this book are like clear concise course work. The authors explain modern quatum mechanics and shows how the notion of
"inherent emptiness" is reflected in a scientific theory that has been rigorously tested. What I learned from this book is a new way of looking at reality.
This reality is a non-material , non -linear reality that somehow coincides with modern scientific test results. We begin to see how the discipline and rigour with which science is held up to applies just as well to Buddhist thought processes. So that is the beauty of the book. Buddhism is not about faith, the practice is about finding what works through learning and practical experience.
Rating:
Summary: This book has helped me see the big picture
Review: First of all, this is a unique book that helps you really understand buddhism especially if you are familiar with modern day physics. Robert Thurman, the Tibetan Schoolar said that Buddhism is "an education system", not a religion. Then the steps that one takes reading this book are like clear concise course work. The authors explain modern quatum mechanics and shows how the notion of
"inherent emptiness" is reflected in a scientific theory that has been rigorously tested. What I learned from this book is a new way of looking at reality.
This reality is a non-material , non -linear reality that somehow coincides with modern scientific test results. We begin to see how the discipline and rigour with which science is held up to applies just as well to Buddhist thought processes. So that is the beauty of the book. Buddhism is not about faith, the practice is about finding what works through learning and practical experience.
Rating:
Summary: Deep thoughts. Great adventure
Review: I'm fascinated by religion and physics. In this book, we get a wonderful blending of the two. The book consists of an interview between a Buddhist monk and a professor of astronomy. Much of the book focusses on space and time and the anthropic principle. The best parts are those that get us to question the ultimate nature of reality. To get you in the mood, here is a quote: "The mind is behind every experience in life. It is also what determines the way we see the world. It takes only the slightest change in our minds, in how we deal with mental states, and perceive people and things, for 'our' world to be turned completely upside-down." -- Matthieu Richard and Tringh Xuan Thuan, The Quantum and the Lotus
Rating:
Summary: The Frontiers of the Mind unravelled by Ancient Wisdom
Review: The mystery of the wonderful journey of Human-kind is here secretly unravelled through the power of Mind-kinds of two brilliant scientist,Trinh Xuan Thuan and philosopher, Matthieu Ricard. An astonishing dialog that brings us closer to the crossroads of the 2500 years old Wisdom of buddhism and a younger but strongly established network of Science. Matthieu Ricard acts in this fake fighting, full of sharp remarks, to put on our still unconscious self-screen an image of what could be called Wisdom. Producing counter-arguments that provoke a tension, worthwhile to find our way, Trinh Xuan Thuan proves the western intellect has enough material to compete and some ideas of high calibra. In the end, the question is left for us to decide if these two worlds can accmodate a common ground. This should not be a problem, given the Quest is the same: what is Wisdom?
A book highly recommended for those who want to broaden their mind. Don't worry, apparently it has no boudaries...
Rating:
Summary: The Frontiers of the Mind unravelled by Ancient Wisdom
Review: The mystery of the wonderful journey of Human-kind is here secretly unravelled through the power of Mind-kinds of two brilliant scientist,Trinh Xuan Thuan and philosopher, Matthieu Ricard. An astonishing dialog that brings us closer to the crossroads of the 2500 years old Wisdom of buddhism and a younger but strongly established network of Science. Matthieu Ricard acts in this fake fighting, full of sharp remarks, to put on our still unconscious self-screen an image of what could be called Wisdom. Producing counter-arguments that provoke a tension, worthwhile to find our way, Trinh Xuan Thuan proves the western intellect has enough material to compete and some ideas of high calibra. In the end, the question is left for us to decide if these two worlds can accmodate a common ground. This should not be a problem, given the Quest is the same: what is Wisdom?
A book highly recommended for those who want to broaden their mind. Don't worry, apparently it has no boudaries...
Rating:
Summary: Buddhism and the Discussion between Science and Religion
Review: The nature of the relationship, and the compatibility, between the scientific and religous outlook continues to fascinate scientists, religious people, and philosophers. Most of the many books on this subject deal with religion in general terms or concentrate on Western theistic religions (primarily Christianity and Judaism.) This book is a fascinating discussion of Buddhism and science told through articulate and intelligent exchanges between Ricard and Thuan. Ricard earned a PhD in chemistry in France before leaving a promising career to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Thuan is a Vietnamese who became enamored of at an early age and is a world-renowned astrophysicist and writer. The most important sections of this book are the introduction, which sets the problem, and the conclusion. Science does not satisfy the spiritual needs of man -- his need to end suffering, understand himself, and the nature of his world -- to find meaning. How is it possible to find religious meaning in a world where science seems to be the only source of knowledge? In his introduction, Ricard argues that science and Buddhism approach reality in different ways. He finds Buddhism non-dogmatic, willing to accept scientific findings and based on an introspection into the human condition with Buddha as a guide. Thuan agrees that human beings need spirituality as well as science. There are fifteen chapters discussing with impressing erudition specific scientific issues and how Buddhists might view them. We get discussions of the "big bang" theory of quantum mechanics, the nature of time, computers and thought, and the nature of consciousness, among other topics. For a book cast in the form of a discussion, the references are copious. There is a great deal of discussion of Buddhism's focus on indeterminacy and change and its relation to science. Also, Ricard focuses of the deep and difficult Buddhist teaching of dependent arising. He tries to argue that this teaching shows the untenability of scientific (or metaphysical) realism -- the view that science describes an independently existing reality. Ricard also takes issue with theism and here he gets something of a disagreement from Thuan who believes in a Spinozistic concept of God (which needs explaining) and is something of a scientific realist. There is a wonderful summation by Thusn: "Made of stardust, we share the same cosmic history as the lions on the savannas and the lavenders in the fields. We are all connected through time and space, and thus interdependent.(page 280) Some of this book is highly technical and Ricard, is spite of himself is over dogmatic in places. This is still a wonderful book. It teaches a "secular spirituality" in the words of Ricard and may be read with benefit by those with no particular commitment to Buddhism.
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