Quantum mechanics, the greatest theory in the history of physics
The core idea of ​​Buddhism, emptiness, is consistent with ‘no-self’!

Quantum mechanics meets Buddhism
How Science and Religion Should Be Transformed into Wisdom for Life
A book that is logically analyzed!

A religion that deals with the world of transcendent beliefs.
Science that proves world phenomena through repeated experiments using logical thinking.
In this way, religion and science appear to be in conflict and opposition just by looking at their underlying ways of thinking.
But the author has drawn surprising parallels between religion and science, two fields that seem utterly incompatible.
It is the point of agreement between the world view of quantum mechanics, which is called the cutting edge of modern science, and the world view of emptiness in Buddhist Madhyamaka philosophy.
These two say that nothing exists with its own independent identity or self-nature, and that since everything in the world is interconnected, nothing exists independently.
This book fuses these surprising commonalities into one, grounded in scientific evidence and detailed Buddhist doctrine.
This shows that scientific and religious knowledge can be transformed into wisdom, and that wisdom can only lead to compassion and love.

“Quantum mechanics is without a doubt the greatest theory in the history of physics in terms of precision and mathematical accuracy.
“Surprisingly, the Buddhist theory of emptiness closely resembles quantum mechanics not only in its broad outlines but also in its finer details.” (_Vic Mansfield)

I want to show how the modern physics view of nature is precisely and meticulously connected to Madhyamaka philosophy, and how it leads to compassionate actions that foster a deeper concern for others and our environment.
Wisdom (knowledge) cannot but ultimately become mercy (love).

--- p.34

The belief that humans have a special relationship with the universe is almost undeniable.
Human life is merely a somewhat comical consequence of random events that occurred during the first three minutes of the Big Bang, and so humans were, in a sense, created from the beginning.

--- p.50

Many people think of science and Buddhism as complementary studies.
The complementarity we see between waves and particles in quantum mechanics, or between yin and yang in Taoism, may help us understand the relationship between science and Buddhism.

--- p.52

I am by no means convinced that quantum mechanics in any way proves the truths of Buddhism.
Rather, it examines the similarity of their respective attitudes toward indistinguishability, the proof of similarity through mutual exchange, and its consequences.

--- p.70

Continuity without independent self-identity or self-nature is a core principle of Madhyamaka and quantum mechanics.

--- p.73

I was struck by the idea that the immense diversity and difference we see all around us arise from a sea of ​​indistinguishable particles, without any independent identity or self.

--- p.75

From the Big Bang until the end of the universe, there will never be another person exactly like you.
For this reason, each individual's path to enlightenment cannot but be unique.
This is why it becomes important to know a guru or lama who can give us unique guidance on our life's journey.

--- p.76

Yes, that's right.
You are clearly different from me in a number of important ways.
But we can never be distinguished in that we all long for happiness and freedom from suffering.
--- p.76~77

The most fundamental philosophical perspective of Tibetan Buddhism is the Madhyamaka view of emptiness.

--- p.101

Perhaps most surprising is that the non-locality and the Madhyamaka idea are deeply aligned with the nature of existence, not only in their general outlines but also in their minute details.
--- p.102

If something exists independently, it does not depend on anything outside itself.
It is important to understand precisely what it means to be independent.
Objects that exist independently, whether they are pillars, stones, or people, cannot change or develop.
Because there is nothing outside of them that can influence their nature.
So they cannot change.

--- p.109

Madhyamaka philosophy tells us that when we are most angry, we should identify the strong sense of self, the 'I' that seems to exist very vividly, something that is so angry.

--- p.112

Although the concept of construction may feel like a denial of our most precious sense of self, this absence of our original being becomes the foundation for a spiritual and psychological transformation that allows us to transition from darkness to light.

--- p.114

To understand clearly that the ball is a negation that it does not assert is to know that there is no new principle that can replace the false property of independent existence.

--- p.114~115

Dependent arising is a synonym for emptiness, emphasizing that the nature of all people and things is interdependent in a deep relationship.
The ball and the smoke are like the front and back of a hand, with impermanence spreading out from both sides.

--- p.115

Once we understand how it works within ourselves, we can see it working within others, and a strong feeling of compassion arises for all those who suffer in the process of projecting an independent existence so naturally.
In this way, our personal experience becomes universal, and emptiness gives rise to compassion.
In other words, deep knowledge of reality gives rise to universal compassion.

--- p.122~123

I'm always trying to validate my ego, to prove to myself and others how important, talented, and wonderful I am.
Of course, this isn't just me.
We all strive to be 'someone', someone with real meaning and value.
This 'someone complex' is not only a detrimental aspect of the human condition, but also a 'bar' that imprisons us in the prison of the ego.

--- p.125~126

In other words, you cannot think of quantum properties that are unaffected by experimental equipment.

--- p.146

Quantum mechanics is unprecedented in its range of applications and the precision of its predictions.
It has never failed experimental tests, and a vast variety of excellent experiments confirm its predictions with exquisite precision.
In terms of scope, precision, and mathematical accuracy (criteria important to physicists), it is without a doubt the best theory in the history of physics.

--- p.149

The principle of emptiness, whether derived from traditional Madhyamaka arguments or from an understanding of quantum mechanics, resonates deeply with the ancient South African spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.”
My true existence requires your existence.
There is no such thing as an isolated or independent entity, whether a particle or a person.
We are not so much self-existing individuals as we are expressions of our interconnectedness with other people, communities, and the larger environment.
So in the end, when you are sick, I am sick, and when you are happy, I am happy.
--- p.178

I really wanted to logically derive mercy from the ball.
As a conclusion that follows from the understanding that there is no original existence in physics, I wanted to know how that could be logically derived.
I probably thought of this approach because I've been doing theoretical physics for many years.
The ball clearly suggests the need for mercy.
And as we discussed at the end of the previous chapter, understanding how people get caught up in the process of projecting their true being puts us on the path to universal compassion.

--- p.179~180

It should be remembered that standard quantum mechanics is by far the best theory in the history of physics.
Nothing can even compare.
Of course, as with all theories in physics, there is room for change and improvement.
Nevertheless, the important theory of probability amplitudes and wave functions, which have been evolving in Hilbert space since before measurement, has remained unshaken for over 80 years since quantum mechanics first obtained its current mathematical formulation.

--- p.222~223

The Dalai Lama said, “Buddhists believe in reincarnation.
But let's say that one day, through various studies, science comes to the clear conclusion that reincarnation does not exist.
If this is conclusively proven, Buddhists should gladly accept it.
He said, “This is a universal Buddhist thought.”

--- p.229

Emptiness, that is, the absence of independent existence, guarantees continuous change by its very nature.
The impermanence that directly expresses the sphere is the law of the universe.

--- p.272