Louisville Process Theology Network

A Glimpse of Buddhism

Jan 22, 2008

These paragraphs from an introductory book entitled "Buddhism for Life", by Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, gives us the impression that modern Buddhism is very receptive to Process Thinking. We have much more reading to do this on this subject, however.

"On the Nature of the Human Mind.

The human mind can penetrate and analyze elements or world systems in the entire universe. The mind consists of fleeting mental states which constantly arise and subside with lightning rapidity. It is a powerful form of energy.

There is in fact no energy that we can compare with the human mind. The mind is the forerunner of all things. The mind is supreme and all things have their origin in the mind.

The Buddha has said, 'I know of no dynamic energy other than the human mind, which can run so rapidly.'

For instance, those who have studied physics
understand the nature of the atom. An atom changes a few million times within a single second.

In Buddhist psychology, we are told that when the human mind changes 17 times, the human body changes once. Atoms and the elements also operate on this principle.

Those who have studied biology understand that cells and everything in our body undergoes change over time. Our mental energy appears and disappears a thousand times faster than lightning. Such is the nature of the mind.

Besides this, the mind is responsible for everything that happens in the world. The Buddha says, 'Mind is responsible for everything good or bad that exists in the whole universe.'

There is a saying, 'As you think, so you become. All that we are is the result of what we have thought.'"