Buddhist Articles

The Planetarity...

Anthony Liew

Founder & President of Regal Lotus Restaurant & Fireproof Coating, New York University MBA; University of Chicago EMBA

Contemplation on the cosmos has been in the human minds over many millennia. Are we alone in the vastness of the universe? Probably not. Although human existence is meager and insignificant in space and time, we still yearn to meet other sentient beings. We can speculate all we want but we do not have a definitive answer in this day and age. So, we continue to contemplate and wonder. Given the size of the universe, logic dictates that it is most improbable only one planet exists with sentient beings. The odds are astronomical if one understands the probabilities and the underlying critical thinking. If one fantoms the idea of other sentient beings in other parts of the universe, it follows that they are at different stages of development. Some are underdeveloped while others are advanced due to different conditions and circumstances. It also follows that those with advanced technology would be able to travel to the far researches of the cosmos.

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What happens when two cultures meet? The advanced or stronger culture would dominate the other that may result in servitude, possible extinction, or at best assimilated co-existence. Inevitably, it would change the course of development. As an advanced benevolent sentient race, what is the reason for doing so? On the other hand, if a sentient race is belligerent, how would they unite in their development in sharing technologies and resources, let alone travel the cosmos?

What is the ultimate goal of any sentient being? Wellbeing of that race or wellbeing of all lifeforms? In the hierarchy of wellbeing, one would pursue health and longevity, then the respect of all lifeforms, altruism, pursuit of knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and eudaimonia, and finally ascension to the divine. How would other extraterrestrial sentient beings be any different given time and appropriate conditions for development? Unless of course we are governed by different laws of reality in different parts of the universe. If that is the case, we have a plethora of discoveries awaiting us.

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Another issue about existence and sentient being which concerns the soul or spirit. Science has yet to determine its existence one way or another. That is because our science and technology is infantile as compared to accumulation of knowledge in the thousands of years let alone millions of years. If we assume there is a soul in each of us, it begs the questions: What is its purpose or role in the cosmos? Where or what is the origin? Is there an end game? These questions are unanswered in a definitive or satisfactory way throughout history. If there are other sentient beings in the cosmos, do they have souls as well? If the answer is affirmative, then we are more alike than different. If we accept the construct of a soul as energy, then the corporal form is just a vessel to house the soul. Energy cannot be destroyed as stipulated by Physics, the soul transfers itself to another vessel when the previous vessel is used up; reincarnation as we know it. If reincarnation is part of the mechanics of the cosmos, would it be plausible that souls are exchanged in many different corporate forms or sentient beings? Something to think about.

Coming back to Earth, in the grand scheme of things, humans are meager, petty and ephemeral. What is the purpose of humanity’s existence, or is there a purpose? Without definitive answers to the many forementioned questions, we can only assume what we deemed appropriate and/or convenient, hence conceivable beliefs are born. Another conceivable and hypothetical construct is Extra Sensory Perception (ESP). Assuming ESP is a human potential in achieving extraordinary capabilities to go beyond physical limitations to reach and communicate with other extraterrestrial sentient beings, it is conceivable to connect and become part of the universal community. Then again, it is a humongous conjecture.

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Humans are meager and ephemeral. On top of that, we are also destructive and self-annihilating evident by pervasive war and environmental devastation. Despite advancement in science and technology, we are oblivious in mitigating the apocalypse lingering at our doorstep. Hopefully, we are able to survive this self-inflicted Armageddon. It is a bleak view of humanity. Nonetheless and on the bright side, we do have the potential for compassion, love, altruism, phronesis and much more if only we can realize them in time. May the divine have mercy on our souls.