Are Science & Religion: Two Sides of the Same

Coin ?

SCIENCE RELIGION

Dr. Anju JainDr. Anju Jain

Dr. Renu N Jain, Michigan, USADr. Renu N Jain, Michigan, USA

Mr. Sanjiv K JainMr. Sanjiv K Jain

Religion possible origin is “religiens” meaning careful, opposite of negligence!

Science means "knowledge acquired by study”

Thus, science is a religion in itself, and religion is a type of science literally.

Both are learned practices.

No one is born with an instinctive knowledge of the divine

Also no one is born with an automatic knowledge of science.

RELIGION & SCIENCE BOTH ARE MAN MADE!

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

All religions, arts and sciences are branches All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual existence and leading the individual towards freedom. towards freedom.

Dr. Martin Luther Dr. Martin Luther King, JrKing, Jr

Science investigates; religion Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control. gives man wisdom which is control.

Science deals mainly with facts; Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. religion deals mainly with values.

The two are not rivals. They are The two are not rivals. They are complementary. complementary.

‘‘Abdu’l-Baha’ stated that religion Abdu’l-Baha’ stated that religion without science is superstition and without science is superstition and

that science without religion is that science without religion is materialism. materialism.

"There can never be a conflict between "There can never be a conflict between true science and true religion, true science and true religion,

because they both help discover because they both help discover reality."reality."

Abdu’l-Baha Abdu’l-Baha

Science and ReligionScience and Religion

Jainism

Lord Rishabha is considered as the first Lord Rishabha is considered as the first Tirthankara (Jain guru) but popularity of Tirthankara (Jain guru) but popularity of Jain religion soared only with the 24 Jain religion soared only with the 24 Tirthankara-Vardhamana Mahavira.Tirthankara-Vardhamana Mahavira.

Lord Mahavira was born on March 30, 599 Lord Mahavira was born on March 30, 599 B.C. and attained the nirvana in the year B.C. and attained the nirvana in the year 527 B.C. at the age of 72. 527 B.C. at the age of 72.

The cardinal principles of Jainism The cardinal principles of Jainism

1.1. Ahimsa (non-violence)Ahimsa (non-violence)

2.2. Satya (truth)Satya (truth)

3.3. Anekantvada (multiplicity of views)Anekantvada (multiplicity of views)

4.4. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)

5.5. Asteya (non-stealing)Asteya (non-stealing)

6.6. Brahmacharya Brahmacharya (soul-conduct, chastity)(soul-conduct, chastity)

Multiplicity and Relativism (Syadavada)

Difference of view points, adds to the knowledge.

It provides for the tolerance for the views of the others.

Better perception is achieved only after hearing others.

Thus, Jainism is based on facts. It discourages blind following.

Jainism teaches to believe after examining the truth.

This is one of most scientific method of identifying truth. 

SimilaritiesSimilarities

Jainism is based on three general principles called Jainism is based on three general principles called the RATNATRAYA: the RATNATRAYA:

rational perception, rational knowledge and rational perception, rational knowledge and rational conduct. rational conduct.

Scientific process also consists of three steps: Scientific process also consists of three steps: Making observations without any prejudiceMaking observations without any prejudice Using existing structure of scientific knowledge in Using existing structure of scientific knowledge in

formulating a theory to explain the observed factsformulating a theory to explain the observed facts Performing further experiments to test and extrapolate Performing further experiments to test and extrapolate

the theory the theory

MethodologyMethodology

Science Jainism 1 Observations Observations

2 Experiments Experience

3 Questions Questions

4 Hypothesis Spiritual Assumptions & Practices

5 Theory and Practical Principals of life

6 Approvals, Disapprovals Approvals, Disapprovals

7 Facts and Figures: Serving Humanity

Serving Humanity and Right Direction

8 Unending Pursuit Moksha/Nirvana

Jain PhilosophyJain Philosophy

Jain philosophy has provided some Jain philosophy has provided some formulas for leading efficient individual formulas for leading efficient individual and collective life. Jainism says that and collective life. Jainism says that dharma is made up of "non-violence, self-dharma is made up of "non-violence, self-control and austerity." control and austerity."

Ahīmsā is so central in Jainism that it Ahīmsā is so central in Jainism that it may be incontrovertibly called the may be incontrovertibly called the beginning and the end of the Jain religion. beginning and the end of the Jain religion.

Science leads to new discoveries and Jainism sometimes helps putting it to use!

Example: Charity Birds Hospital, Delhi, India

Jainism and Science

http://www.esnips.com/web/CharityBirdsHospital

ScienceScience

ReligionReligion

+

Science & ReligionScience & ReligionLimitations & MisinterpretationsLimitations & Misinterpretations

At times experiment based science and At times experiment based science and experience based religion give rise to experience based religion give rise to

questions that are beyond the scope of questions that are beyond the scope of each other.each other.

Misinterpretations occasionally result in Misinterpretations occasionally result in skewed outlook for Science and religion.skewed outlook for Science and religion.

BeforeBefore

Come lets see who is Superior ?

AFTERAFTER

We are made for each other …

Have a religiously Have a religiously scientific nice day!scientific nice day!