Space and Eternal Life

Chandra Wickramasinghe is an eminent astronomer. Jointly, with Sir Fred Hoyle, he developed the idea that life is a cosmic phenomenon. He is the author of many books including Life on Mars? The case for a cosmic heritage (1997). Daisaku Ikeda is a leading figure in the international Buddhist movement, president of the Buddhist lay organisation Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and founder of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy and Soka University. His publications include Choose Peace: A Dialogue with Johan Galtung (1995).

Foreword by Sir Fred Hoyle


Chapter One: The Universe and Human Beings


1. Poetry and Science


2. The Big Bang theory


3. The Buddhist View of the Universe


4. A Fifth Dimension in the Universe


5. The Existence of Extraterrestrial Beings


6. The Harmony and Rhythm of the Universe


7. The Origin and Evolution of Life


Chapter Two: Science and Religion


1. Seeking a New Worldview


2. Modern Science and Christianity


3. Modern Science and Greek Philosophy


4. Science Faces a Crisis


5. Science in the East and West


6. Chinese and Indian Medicine


7. science and Buddhism: Their Common Ground


8. The Fruits of Twentieth- Century Technology


Chapter Three: The Eternity of life


1. Life after Death and the Oneness of Body and Mind


2. Near-death Experiences and Conquering the Fear of Death


3. On the Concepts of Karma and Rebirth


4. Informing Patients of a Cancer diagnosis


5. Brain Death and Organ Transplantation


6. The Comatose State, Death with Dignity and Suicide


7. Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilisation, Fetal diagnosis and Abortion


8. The future of Genetic Engineering


Chapter Four: Buddhist Pacifism


1. Dialogue in Accord with the Speech of the Sage - I


2. Dialogue in Accord with the Speech of the Sage - II


3. The Buddhist Mission for Peace


4. Religion for Humanity’s Sake


5. Ashoka and Sri Lanka


6. Peace of Mind


7. The Sanctity of Life


8. Buddhist View of Society


9. Shakyamuni and Mahayana Buddhism


10. Shakyamuni’s Reticence


11. Buddhism and the Arts


Chapter Five: The Creation of a Global Civilisation


1. A Historical Look at the Present


2. Nuclear Arms: Absolute Evil


3. Coexistence with the Ecosystem


4. Challenges of Dealing with AIDS


5. Youth and the State of Education


6. The Family


7. Contemporary Society and the Right way of Life


8. The Age of Democracy and Human Rights


9. The Mission of Astronomy to Develop a Collective Human Consciousness


Notes