Translator’s Note:This is an English translation of the
original Chinese text entitled ‘释永信：僧人能到太空修行佛教相信有外星人’
– which translates as ‘Shi Yong Xin: Monks Can Enter Outer Space through
Practice and Aliens Exist’.Shi Yong Xin
is the current Abbot of the famous Shaolin Temple, and this text records the
details of an interview he gave to journalists of the Xinhua News Agency in
China, and which was uploaded on the internet of the 13th of June,
2013.The original authors are Liu Jing
Yang (刘景洋), Jiang
Chen Rong (姜辰蓉), and Gui Juan (桂娟).This article offers the Buddhist view that all existence is essentially ‘empty’
of any substantiality, and that Ch’an Buddhist monks are able to travel through
inner and outer space through their meditative practice.However, this philosophical perspective is
here integrated with the notion that as Buddhist monks already possess an
advanced state of mind (proved through scientific scrutiny), it would be possible
to train them as astronauts for participation in actual space missions.Of particular interest for the modern reader
is the section regarding the scientific gathering of data about the state of
mind of meditating monks. ACW 5.11.14
When the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple - Shi Yong Xin – was recently
asked about whether monks could enter outer space, he said that in this ever
evolving age of science and technology, it is only correct to assume that monks
can explore outer space, and that this can be done by contemplating the underlying
identical nature of (both ‘inner’) and ‘outer’ space and cultivating good karma
– as well as physically participating in a conventional space mission.Shi Yong Xin then surprised everyone by
stating that it is a Buddhist belief that there exists an infinite number of planets
in the universe, and that Buddhist practice should not be assumed to only exist
on this planet. A reporter asked:
“In this age of space
exploration, which sees numerous people signing-up for journeys to Mars, is it
true that monks can enter outer space whilst apply their meditation practice?”
Shi Yong Xin is the correct person to ask such a question,
as he is a very well respected and learned monk, who has many tens of thousands
of disciples around the world.He believes
that it is no accident that humanity is interested in the exploration of inner
and outer space (as he sees the two as identical in essence) and that people
should pay more attention to in depth Buddhist studies – and realise that there
are many worlds beyond this one.With a
smile, he replied:
“Of course.It is a Buddhist belief that there exists (throughout
the universe) many different worlds, each containing a number of different
forms of alien life – all of which are essentially empty and existing within
space.As a monk directly realises this
empty state at all times, in theory there is nowhere he could not go.”
He further explained that Buddhists believe in the cause and
effect teachings of karma, and that as such, it is possible to accumulate good
karmic rewards, or bad karma retributions based entirely upon one’s behaviour
in this lifetime, on this planet.Depending upon the underlying ‘intent’ that motivates behaviour, a Buddhist
can be reborn in any number of the six realms – which includes the possibility
of being reborn on other planets and in different bodies.Empty space can be penetrated and understood
through the cultivation of the mind – here and now – and physically experienced
as the body transmigrates throughout the universe and the six realms of
rebirth.The reporter asked:
“Do the six realms
exist on other planets?”
With a smile, Shi Yong Xin replied:
“We do not know, as we
have not been there!”
He further explained that certain sutras state that the
world immediately available to our senses is not the true reality, whilst other
sutras discuss the idea that many other planets exist.The true reality of emptiness underlies all
of the six realms – which are nothing but illusions that appear real when we
experience life through their existence. After 1,500 years of existence, the core practice
at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, is that of strict meditation.In this advanced age, how is meditational
progress assessed?This is where modern technology
is used to monitor ancient practices.A
body of data has been compiled by Professor Liu Tian Jun (刘天君) of
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, which involves the measuring of brain
activity, and the recording of brain-waves during meditation practice, which
has involved the connecting of meditating Shaolin monks to EEG machines.
The results indicate that the state of deep Ch’an meditation
is different to that experienced by the human mind in an ordinary resting
state.During the practice of Ch’an meditation
– the mind enters a theta-state normally associated with the experience of deep
sleep, but with one crucial difference - the practitioner is still alert and
awake.This cultivated state of mind is
very different from the mind activity of those engaged in the act of resting or
relaxing in the ordinary sense, which does not involve the act or practice of
meditation.In this ordinary relaxing
state, invariably the mind enters an alpha-state.In addition, those in a deep Ch’an state of
mind, consume less oxygen, whilst their awareness capacity is simultaneously enhanced.
Shi Yong Xin, when discussing these
results, stated:
“Modern science has
demonstrated that the mind of a meditating Ch’an monk is functioning very
differently from the mind of an ordinary person, and that this is observable
through the very different brain-waves recorded for each example.”
A science fiction fan in the audience said:
“The Chinese Space
Agency should be made aware of these results – and perhaps a monk could be trained
to be a modern astronaut!”
