akālikodukkha. The medicine that he prescribed is the Eight-fold Path or the path of Sῑla (Morality), Samādhi (Concentration of mind) and Paññā (Inight), the practical aspect of it is the practice of Vipassanā Meditation clearly revealed by the Buddha in the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta.
The word Vipassanā is a Pali term and has a distinct meaning. Etymologically, the term is derived from the root verb passa (in skt. paśya) which means "to see" with"Vi" prefix which means visesena with special manner or vividhena with different angles, or vicayena by disintegrating it. Thus in Pali literature we do find expressions as:
Paññattiṃ ṭhapetvā visesena passatīti vipassanā.
Vipassanā is observation of reality in a special way, in the correct way by disintegrating the apparent truth. It means "to see things as it is, and not as it appears". Vipassana is best rendered in English as insight-Paññā, full wisdom, full knowledge and"Yathābhūta' ñānadassana clear knowledge and vision or knowledge and vision as it is-are the terms generally used to define Vipassanā."
Vipassanā, therefore, can best be rendered in English as insight, to see things as they really are, in their true perspective, in their true nature. It is in true sense a practical technique of self-examination, a scientific method of self-observation that results in the total purification of mental impurities and the realization of highest happiness of full liberation. The best advantage in the practice of Vipassanā meditation is that one finds that even before the eradication of the ultimate suffering, one experiences many benefits. One learns how not to react to the symptoms of suffering, which include the physical and mental discomforts of mundane world amongst the human beings. These discomforts are the main source of suffering, creating psychic and psychosomatic disorders in the society today, thereby, leading to anxiety, stress, tension, conflict etc.
Like a research scientist, the Buddha did an intricate study of suffering mind. First he identified the malady-existence is suffering, dukkha. Then analyzing it systematically, he realized that the cause of this malady of suffering is craving, taṇhā. Going further, he understood that if craving ceases, suffering will automatically cease, therefore, craving must be eradicated. Finally, he rediscovered the way to eradicate craving by the practice of Vipassanā meditation, thereby, attaining the total liberation. As this technique helped suffering people in the time of the Buddha, so also it helps now, whosoever practices it.
To conclude, I may say that Buddhism has an application today and has a special place in the 21st century because of its timeless relevance, emanating from a set of eternal values which are the very basis of Lifeology. It is our responsibility to share our thinking, knowledge and experience of Dhamma, with as many people as possible, so that ultimately we all see that the practical teaching of the Buddha which represents the study of Lifeology, continues to reach mankind in every corner of the world. If everyone practice the Middle Path which leads to Peace, Happiness, Universal-love, Compassion, and Harmony then we will be secure and will make the Planet worth living. With this, Lifeology can and will surly start a new journey for the Second Axial Age even brighter for the future of the human being.
Prof Ravindra Panth
由于论文是用英文撰写的，为了让更多的读者理解论文大意，特附中文概要。
佛法——对生命科学之研究
Prof Ravindra Panth（拉文达·潘思教授）
Panth教授指出，东方文化在一个民族或一种文明的成长发展中，扮演着关键角色。一个民族如同大树一般,有两个组成部分：根系与果实。两者对于树的繁茂起了主导作用并相互依存。对于一个民族来说，文化是根，历史是果实。文化离开历史不能扎根，历史没有了文化结不出果实。中印这两大文明体系，拥有悠久的历史和活力十足的文化，佛法是其文化与历史共同的纽带，因而他们有能力抵御狂风暴雨、应对世事变迁。这就是东方学问的力量和智慧，同时也与生命科学的智慧相契合。
他认为佛法是实现生命科学的一个重要工具。释迦牟尼佛的教导，如果应用到日常生活中，将会是解决当今社会问题的一剂万灵丹，也能反映生命科学之理念。佛法无可替代，是终极真理（或曰Esa Dhammo sanantano，永恒的法）。佛法不只是教义，也是教言、实践和启迪教化。道德的基础——戒律，是佛法中不可或缺的一部分，是链接个人与他人的连接点。佛法有三层含义：佛陀的教言（教理）、对其教言的实践（实修）和对佛陀教化的实现或体验（体证）。Panth教授认为，佛教不同于其他宗教传统，佛教和现代科学中的基本概念相呼应，在现代世界中扮演着特殊的角色。佛教可以分为三个类别来讨论：哲学、科学与宗教。宗教部分（原理及实践）只关乎宗教徒，但佛法中相互关联的哲学（缘起法），也是佛陀关于心与物、心物关系与人类情感之间关系的科学，将惠及大众。他指出佛陀在鹿野苑初转法轮时，讲到人们最受煎熬的就是“苦”，佛陀给出对治的药方是“四圣谛”，也就是“八正道”，或者说戒、三摩地和般若，实修方法就是佛陀在《大念处经》中所揭示的内观禅修。他总结说，实践佛陀中道，将会带来和平、幸福、博爱、和谐，并使我们得到安全感和存在感。生命科学将为第二轴心时代开启一段新的旅程，人类的未来也会更加光明。
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