Space and Eternal Life

by Daisaku Ikeda and Chandra Wickramasinghe

Book Overview

The book is in the form of a dialogue between an eminent astronomer (Wickramasinghe) and a leading Buddhist scholar (Ikeda) which probes some of the deepest aspects of our existence. As the dialogue unfolds both the astronomer's view of the world and the Buddhist viewpoint are expounded, side by side, with interesting comparisons between the two sets of basic tenets.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 185172060X
• ISBN13: 9781851720606
• Release Date: February 1998
• Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Inspiring reading

An inspiring read for those interested in the relationship between the "real world" of our everyday life and the more complex questions of our existence. Both authors speak with respect, understanding and courage about life in the past (and next!) century. It was interesting for me, a layperson in matters of both science and religion, to feel a strong connection with such complex thinkers. I appreciate philosophical discussion that doesn't leave your heart cold -this fits the bill nicely.

Space and Eternal Life - A Philosophical Dialogue

"Space and Eternal Life" is a profound dialogue between eminent astronomer Chandra Wickramasinghe from Sri Lanka and Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese scholar and president of the worldwide Buddhist organization called Soka Gakkai International. Both are world renowned poets, Mr. Ikeda having even been named a poet laureate of Japan. In his foreward to the book, Sir Fred Hoyle states, "Many challenging problems face humankind as we approach the dawn of the new century. This book expolores some of these problems.... " In closing the discussion, Ikeda states, "The advance of astronomy and unfolding of cosmology will expand humanity's awareness so that it encompasses the entire Earth.... "

Incredibly Diverse in Range

This book, "Space and Eternal Life" is incredibly diverse in its range. It is essentially a dialogue between Chandra Wickramasinghe, an internationally renowned astronomer, and Daisaku Ikeda, leader of Soka Gakkai International, the world's largest Buddhist organization.In this dialogue, the two men probe some of the deepest aspects of our existence. They touch on everything from Religion to Near-Death Experiences to Nuclear Weapons to AIDS to the Big Bang Theory and more. As the dialogue unfolds, both the Buddhist viewpoint and an astronomer's view of the world are expressed, side by side, with interesting comparisons between the two.While at first sight Buddhist philosophy might seem to lack the advantages of the empirical methodology of science in its exploration of the physical world, Buddhism's treatment of psychology, including the idea of many states of consciousness, appears to be remarkably sophisticated in modern terms.This book also shows how ancient Buddhist ideas of cosmology are in tune with modern scientific thoeries. Fascinating through and through.