Is it true that Einstein believed in the buddhist way of thought and life?

Question

I've heard that Einstein stated that in the future buddhism will probably become the most widely accepted religion for a society of technologically driven individuals. Was Einstein a Buddhist?

Answer 1

If you too study Buddhism, you'd know how deeply he reached inside the philosophy of Buddhism - related to both relativity and Quantum Theories. However, he once argued that God doesn't play dice - still this also close to Buddhist view physical matters at smallest level - quantum. However, I don't mean his theories developed within Buddhist views - rather Buddhism might encourage him to go on with his views so the influence must be limited.

String theory, although not of Einstein, also close to Buddhist view. Einstein predicted the existence of the black holes and dark matters; dark matters maybe similar to Buddhist view of fire (heat) element.

I don't know, rather not sure, about his spiritual view as he wasn't a very religious person.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it true that Einstein believed in the buddhist way of thought and life?
I've heard that Einstein stated that in the future buddhism will probably become the most widely accepted religion for a society of technologically driven individuals. Was Einstein a Buddhist?

Answer 3

You must really be stuck on this flying thing because you mention it in several other posts you make. I think you might be better off studying some of Descarte and realize that nothing really is or isn't. Do you know that people can't fly? Can you prove it? No, you can't. You will never be able to prove that or anything else. People who deal in absolutes are ignorant about the world that does or does not exsist around them. I do love that you post so much on Islam, telling me that you are a Muslim, which, by definition you have a closed mind and are unwilling to accept other religions as plausable. It is detestable relgion, I must say, that treats women as inferior and establishes clear cut rules about everyone not being equal. It is fundamentally the opposite of Buddhism which is why the awesome Al-Queda network blew up those Buddhist rock statues a few years ago. That is also the reason that you bring your question here, to try and undermine buddhism. Are you sad that arguably the smartest man of the last 100 years said buddhism was the most practical relgion? No, he didn't say best.

Answer 4

There is a quote, attributed to Einstein, where he makes the claim you mentioned. Being attributed to him does not mean he actually said it. And if he actually said it, it doesn't mean he was a Buddhist.

As far as I know, Einstein believed in an understanding of God as the sum of all the laws of the universe. This is the God of Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking. This conception of God is probably the most compatible with Buddhism. Even though Buddhists don't posit a personal creator God, they do believe in a lawful universe, and that all beings are subject to these laws.

Answer 5

No Einstein was not a buddhist. But many believe that he had somehow studied buddhism. And it is quite obviuos with his expressions on "TRUTH"

and he has once said,
"The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. The religion which is based on experience, which refuses dogmatism. If there's any religion that would cope the scientific needs it will be Buddhism�"

Answer 6

I believe he was a deist.



"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." - Albert Einstein, "Religion and Science", New York Times Magazine, November 9, 1930

Answer 7

Here a quote hinting strongly at buddhist beliefs:
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Whether he truly was buddhist or not, we will not know, but he may just have figured out buddhism, without learning buddhist philosophy or studying it. He may simply have figured it out.

Answer 8

Einsteins philosophy is most accurately described as a "pantheist", of the naturalistic variety.
He was quite critical of abrahamic religions and I wouldn't doubt it if he spoke positively of buddhism.

Answer 9

He was born a jew, although he wasn't a practicing jew. He did come to a conclusion that a higher power is involved in the creation of the universe. Which is one reason I call myself an agnostic as opposed to an atheist.

Answer 10

Einstein was a Conservative Jew.
He was a member of a Synagogue, gave money to Jewish causes... etc.
This would not be inconsistent with an observation like the one you mention.