Major Presentation at World Parliament of Religions, Chicago 1993 Dr. Pranav Pandya, Director : Brahamvarchas Research Instt., Shantikunj, Haridwar
In the words of the most renowned philosopher and controversial person of last century, I will like to quote Lao Tse who said that true words always seem paradoxical but no other form of teaching can take its place. Why I started this topic, I'll like to clarify. Whatever journey we are going to make in next 45 minutes is indeed the one which carries paradoxical propagations, but on the other hand it stands true as a certainty that religion and science are closely interrelated to the extent that they are indeed two sides of the same coin.
Gautam Buddha said “Be ye lamp unto yourselves, be your own reliance, hold the truth to the truth within yourselves as to the only lamp“. If we believe in His words, we might perhaps understand this truth which may bring deep awareness amongst ourselves to understand the concept of intercommunion of religion with science.
Never before the man came so close to the fulfillment of his most cherished hopes as today. Enthralling scientific adventures and inventions along with technical achievements have enabled us to visualize the day when the table is set for all who want to eat , a day when human race is forming a unified community and no longer wants to live as separate identities. The whole globe is under one umbrella and is called a village now. I believe that centuries and centuries were needed for this unfolding of man's intellectual capacity, for his ability to organize society and for celebrating his energies purposefully. Man has created a new universal order with his own laws and destiny. He has proven his worth as true heir of God, the most intelligent creator God has created; but when one looks at him, what can he say? Is he anyway closer to other faiths , do justice, speak truth and realize that he is not in real sense an image of God, when definition of God , when definition of God as Summum Bonum of Good qualities and Ideals is put forth.
The question is embarrassing as answer is very clear and very painful. The more man has come nearer to scientific discoveries rendering him material pleasures, the mote he has created wonderful things through his infinite endeavor, he has failed to make himself for being whom. This tremendous effort would seem worthwhile. The life today is not of contentment, happiness and inner peace but of spiritual chaos and bewilderment dangerously close to the state of madness in which the contact with inner reality has been lost and thought is split from effect. In such a pretext we're discussing here today relevancy of religion with science and need of intercommunion of scientific disciplines with religious principles. How this proposition can be substantiated, I shall try to explain in next few minutes.
