The Study Of Wang Ki-Tung’s Thoughts Of Science And Buddhism

Wang Ki-Tung(1875-1948) was not only a chinese scientist who early published modern mathematical papers in the international journals but also the first Buddhist who spread Buddhism by means of scientific theories. Wang was well-known in the scientific community and the Buddhist community because of the great achievements and contributions in two fields. Wang had a series of influential writings related to science and Buddhism, especially A Comparative Study of Buddhism and Science. In these books Wang used scientific methods and theories to promote Buddhism and had a considerable influence upon the Buddhist Studies.There are six parts in this dissertation. The introduction is mainly about the importances, the relevant studies, the basic research methods and the innovation of the thesis. The answer why China still continues to call for scientific consciousness and how to deal with the subject of the relationship between science and Buddhism can be inspired from the natural scientist Wang Ki-Tung about the way of how to adjust to the relationshiop. Chapter1mainly introduces that the understanding of science was deepening in the beginning of the20th century in China, at the same time Buddhist community was actively looking for a way out responded to the challenges from science, which contributes to Wang Ki-Tung’s unique thoughts of science and Buddhism. Chapter2tells us Wang’s life stories, scientific achievements, Buddhist accomplishments, and the perspectives on the relationship of science and Buddhism. Based on the deep understanding of the limitations of science and the purpose of promoting Buddhism, Wang compared with them each other, and considered Buddhism as pure science. Chapter3mainly discusses the effects of his thoughts in three ways, the criticism of Hu Shi, the appreciation of Cai Yuanpei and the imitation of You Zhibiao. Chapter4mainly evaluates the value of Wang’s thoughts, which is not only an important way to research the topic of Science and Buddhism, but also contributes to the reflection on science. Finally, the conclusion points that it proved that the relationship of science and Buddhism can be conciliatory by Wang Ki-tung’s unique personal experience. In short, I hope the thesis can supply new historical meterials to the sdudies about Wang Ki-Tung and provide new research ideas for the study of the history of Science and Technology in Modern China.