On the philosophical level, both Buddhism and modern science share a deep suspicion of any notion of absolutes, whether conceptualize as a transcendent being, as an eternal, unchanging principle such as soul, or as a fundamental substratum of reality. ... In the Buddhist investigation of reality, at least in principle, empirical evidence should triumph over scriptural authority, no matter how deeply venerated a scripture may be. ~ 14th Dalai Lama in his talk to the Society for Neuroscience in 2005 in Washington.

Summary

The quote by the 14th Dalai Lama highlights the similarity between Buddhism and modern science in their rejection of absolute concepts. Both philosophies question the existence of transcendental beings, eternal souls, or fundamental substratums. The Dalai Lama emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence in Buddhism, stating that it should prevail over scriptural authority. This implies that Buddhism encourages a rational and investigative approach towards understanding reality, aligning with the scientific method of inquiry. The quote reflects the Dalai Lama's view that logic and reason are crucial in determining truth rather than relying solely on religious texts and doctrines.

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