<p>A difference between modern atomic theory &amp; Buddhist atomic theory is their respective purposes.</p>

<p>Modern atomic theory culminated in atomic bombs used to kill thousands of people. </p>

<p>Where as the Buddhist atomic theory has the purpose of realizing 'not-self' (<em>anatta</em>) &amp; bringing the peace &amp; love of selflessness. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-14T19:37:21.747Z
modern atomic theory has also resulted in advances in medicine and energy. it was probably required for you to be able to write this answer. you convey a very cynical view of science
joel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-06T17:14:46.167Z
2016-06-06T17:14:46.167Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>In short, modern scientists analyze the external universe from quarks to quasars in pursuit of "the ultimate reality". On the contrary, we Buddhists analyze the matter in our sense experience as patavi, apo, thejo, wayo - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81bh%C5%ABta" rel="nofollow">Mahābhūta</a>
to get rid of the dilution (<em>avijja</em>) caused by Vijñāna(~consciousness) projected on Mahābhūta. This is the intention of <em>kayanupassana</em> as described in the great <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html" rel="nofollow">Satipattana Sutta</a>.
<br>
From <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.045.than.html" rel="nofollow">Rohitassa Sutta:AN 4.45</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"I tell you, friend, that it is not possible by traveling to know or see or reach a far end of the cosmos where one does not take birth, age, die, pass away, or reappear. But at the same time, I tell you that there is no making an end of suffering &amp; stress without reaching the end of the cosmos. Yet it is just within this fathom-long body, with its perception &amp; intellect, that I declare that there is the cosmos, the origination of the cosmos, the cessation of the cosmos, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of the cosmos."</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-07T14:29:35.110Z
2016-06-07T14:29:35.110Z
Sajeewa Welendagoda
<p>So far as I know, if people talk about "atoms" in Theravada doctrine, they're referring to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalapas" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Kalapas</a>.</p>

<p>So, an explanation of "kalapas" is an explanation of "the difference between modern atomic theory and the Buddhist atomic theory" (especially since an explanation of 'modern atomic theory' is probably off-topic on this site).</p>

<p>So perhaps the answers to this topic, <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/9422/254">Meaning of 'kalapas'</a>, would answer your question.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-06T22:27:25.070Z
2016-06-06T22:27:25.070Z
2017-04-13T12:51:06.307Z
ChrisW
<p>What is the difference between modern atomic theory and the Buddhist atomic theory? 
Buddhism also employs certain technical terms such as Anu,Paramanu,Cunna,Kapala and so on at same time we can take following terms as counter part of Buddhist terms in modern science,atom,nucleus,electron etc.</p>

<western-philosophy>
Physics in Buddhism
# Physics in Buddhism

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-06)

What is the difference between modern atomic theory and the Buddhist atomic theory?
Buddhism also employs certain technical terms such as Anu,Paramanu,Cunna,Kapala and so on at same time we can take following terms as counter part of Buddhist terms in modern science,atom,nucleus,electron etc.

**Tags:** western-philosophy


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-06-06. Score: 1

A difference between modern atomic theory & Buddhist atomic theory is their respective purposes.

Modern atomic theory culminated in atomic bombs used to kill thousands of people.

Where as the Buddhist atomic theory has the purpose of realizing 'not-self' (*anatta*) & bringing the peace & love of selflessness.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: modern atomic theory has also resulted in advances in medicine and energy. it was probably required for you to be able to write this answer. you convey a very cynical view of science  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-07. Score: 1

In short, modern scientists analyze the external universe from quarks to quasars in pursuit of "the ultimate reality". On the contrary, we Buddhists analyze the matter in our sense experience as patavi, apo, thejo, wayo - [Mahābhūta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81bh%C5%ABta)
to get rid of the dilution (*avijja*) caused by Vijñāna(~consciousness) projected on Mahābhūta. This is the intention of *kayanupassana* as described in the great [Satipattana Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.than.html).
  
From [Rohitassa Sutta:AN 4.45](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.045.than.html)

> "I tell you, friend, that it is not possible by traveling to know or see or reach a far end of the cosmos where one does not take birth, age, die, pass away, or reappear. But at the same time, I tell you that there is no making an end of suffering & stress without reaching the end of the cosmos. Yet it is just within this fathom-long body, with its perception & intellect, that I declare that there is the cosmos, the origination of the cosmos, the cessation of the cosmos, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of the cosmos."


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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-06-06. Score: 1

So far as I know, if people talk about "atoms" in Theravada doctrine, they're referring to [Kalapas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalapas).

So, an explanation of "kalapas" is an explanation of "the difference between modern atomic theory and the Buddhist atomic theory" (especially since an explanation of 'modern atomic theory' is probably off-topic on this site).

So perhaps the answers to this topic, [Meaning of 'kalapas'](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/9422/254), would answer your question.


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