Scientists examine reality from the point of view of a specific form. They look for outcomes that are physical, concrete, and repeatable. One example is a chemist who analyzes and blends one substance with another to create a new material. Science continues with this process until the final result is the anticipated, predictable, and desired outcome. Science adopts the eyesight method in order to know and accept; in other words, one will not know without witnessing it themselves. This is called experimentation with specific forms.
Buddhism utilizes and focuses on the fundamental nature that is not handled by machines or other means. As a matter of fact, the fundamental nature can only be handled by the body, mind, and intelligence of human beings. This fundamental nature is handled by the Nature Enlightened Mind method. When the mind penetrates nature, it sees clearly; once it becomes aware of natures, the mind is bright. When the bright mind is enlightened, it’s immediately aware of the Universe. This gives the answer to why science can’t fully understand Buddhism, which is fully aware of science. Science mainly experiments with mechanical implements, while Buddhism utilizes dynamic performances for experimentation. It is this difference that prevents science from fully understanding Buddhism.
Buddhism often says, “Specific form has its shape and color. It must have its age. When the age reaches its limit, the specific form is destroyed and disintegrates. As for the original essential nature, it has no shape or form, but it is immortal.” That is why we rely on two bases for the discussion. If science advances to its utmost, it is destroyed; on the other hand, if Buddhism practices to its utmost, it is enlightened and immortal!
Let’s analyze specific form and fundamental nature to know how they are perceived.
First, let’s look at the tangible: the specific form. Seeing the specific form relies on the existence of a specific form; hearing relies on the existence of an echo or sound; knowing relies on talking. As an example: if the leaves do not wave or fall, or if the human skin is not sensitive, then there is no perception of the wind. If science does not perceive and analyze the specific form, it cannot know what the specific form is. Therefore, seeing and knowing depend on each specific form exclusively.
As far as seeing the fundamental nature, one only needs to look at a specific form to immediately know it comprehensively and thoroughly. One then utilizes this perceived knowledge to nourish the fundamental nature and make his or her knowledge less dependent on forms. Science relies on the specific form, taking the real form as an advanced step. Buddhism utilizes the fundamental nature to absorb the quintessence as a way of practice. For that reason, Buddhism’s seeing is subdivided into five ways of seeing, while science relies on only one.
