Charles Darwin inspired by Tibetan Buddhism Charles Darwin could have been a Buddhist, according to a scholar who has identified amazing similarities between his writing and Tibetan philosophy. Charles Darwin: Charles Darwin inspired by Tibetan Buddhism Charles Dawrin: Darwin is best known for devising the theory of evolution to explain to diversity of species Photo: AP By Matthew Moore 9:51AM GMT 16 Feb 2009CommentsComment Passages in which the Victorian scientist addressed compassion and morality were virtually the same, or exactly the same as Tibetan Buddhist texts, according to Professor Paul Ekman, a psychologist who studies the links between human emotions and facial expression. Prof Ekman said that his friend the Dalai Lama had also remarked on the parallels. He said: When I read the Dalai Lama some of Darwins passages he said: I will now call myself a Darwinian. Darwin is best known for devising the theory of evolution to explain to diversity of species, but also wrote widely about the emotional bonds between humans, and similarities between the emotions of humans and animals. The Buddhist view, like Darwin, said that the seed of compassion is in mothering, global compassion: focus on others as mother. When I see you suffer it makes me suffer, and that motivates me to reduce your suffering so I can reduce my suffering, Prof Ekman told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago. The words Darwin used are identical to those used by Tibetan Buddhists to describe their compassion and morality. It is an amazing coincidence, if it is a coincidence, that his views... are identical to the Tibetan view. How did this coincidence occur? If it was contemporary the issue to plagiarism would arise because the words are virtually the same, or exactly the same. Im by no means accusing Darwin of plagiarism. Prof Ekman said that Darwin could have absorbed Tibetan Buddhist teachings through his friend and advocate Joseph Hooker, who travelled to Tibet in 1847. Darwins wife Emma also had an interest in Buddhism.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:36:48 +0000
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