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48 EASTERN HORIZON | FEATURES

the characteristic of being alive or
dead, or a wave or particles; rather,
the underlying reality, the wave
function, is indeterminate and
can only be quantified as a set of
probabilities.

Another aspect of quantum
mechanics worth mentioning is
the principle of entanglement.
This principle, tackled by both
Einstein and Schrödinger in 1935,
occurs when pairs or groups of
particles are generated in such the explanation for the two complimentary, His Holiness
a way that the state of any given truths is remarkably similar in insisted on the need for both
particular particle cannot be both quantum mechanics and physics and philosophy in the
determined. Rather, the observer Madhyamaka philosophy. In the quest to overcome ignorance and
must measure the state of the case of quantum mechanics, end suffering, which are arguably
quantum system as a whole. With entanglement is a quantifiable the main aims of Buddhism. Both
an entangled system, the state of expression of Nagarjuna’s notion of science and religion have their own
each particle is correlated with the dependent origination—the state specific uses, but one without the
others; therefore, measuring single of a particular quantum particle other can lead to less than desirable
particle will influence its entangled cannot be expressed because it is results, to say nothing of painting an
partners (what Einstein called dependent on the quantum system incomplete picture of reality.
“spooky action at a distance”), as a whole, much like Nagarjuna’s
collapsing the superimposed states phenomena which cannot have their “Right now when we see the sad
of the entire quantum system. own inherent essences because things going on in the world, crying
their existence is dependent on the and prayer won’t achieve very
To borrow from the language of conditions which brought them much,” His Holiness said. “Although
Nagarjuna’s philosophy, we might forth. we may be inclined to pray to God
say that quantum physics possesses or Buddha to help us solve such
two truths: a conventional truth Such were the ideas expressed problems, they might reply that
(the determinate reality brought over the course of the two day since we created these problems
about through observation) and the conference at JNU in New Delhi. it is up to us to solve them. Most
ultimate truth (an indeterminate For the most part, the explicit of these problems were created
reality expressed as probabilities). connections between Madhyamaka by human beings, so naturally
These truths of quantum mechanics and quantum physics were left up to they require human solutions. We
mirror Madhyamaka philosophy the interpretation of the audience. need to take a secular approach
insofar as the latter professes that The physicists stuck to physics to promulgating universal human
things do actually exist out there and the monastic scholars stuck to values. The sense that our basic
in the world yet have no intrinsic, Buddhism. human nature is positive is a source
objective essence and only derive of hope [that]... If we really make an
their essence from our subjective Yet much like each concept attempt, we can change the world
interpretations. itself, composed of seemingly for the better.” EH
contradictory ideas that
What is more, in both cases, nevertheless prove to be Source: Motherboard, Nov 17 2015,