This thesis is a study of the twelve ?yatanas and their parallels in
science. With an attempt to answer a hypotheses that many parallels exist
between statements in the Buddhist scriptures and findings from scientific
research. The information of the twelve ?yatanas in the Buddhist scriptures
are brought to compare with the information of the sensory receptors and the
sense stimuli in human anatomy.
In this thesis, the various meanings of the term?yatana is analyzed in
both the Vedic-Sanskrit and the P?li traditions. Then the specific meaning of
the twelve ?yatanas in the Tipi?aka and A??hakath?s is clarified. The sense
receptors and the sense stimuli in human anatomy are studied and then
compared and contrasted with the description of the twelve ?yatanas.
The result of the study shows that the meaning of the term?yatana in
the P?li tradition had been developed from the Vedic-Sanskrit tradition. The
concept of the twelve ?yatanas was invented by the Buddha and developed by
the commentators. The study also answers the hypotheses that there are
some resemblances in the material aspect between the description of the
twelve ?yatanas in the Buddhist scriptures and their parallels in science.
However, the role of the mental aspect, the mind, is different. The role of the
mental aspect is still ambiguous in science. Therefore, it could not be brought
to compare with the information in the Buddhist scriptures. This is where
science lags behind Buddhism.
Download :  255127.pdf