Karma and the Theory of Quantum Entanglement
Today, I am going to discuss a highly debatable topic of Jainism — Karma. Since it is highly debatable, I would actually love a debate, for I have realized that debate helps me add perspectives and expand my knowledge.
Getting the basics out of the way, Karma theory is an extension of the age-old wisdom — “as you sow, so shall you reap”, “what goes around, comes around” or the scientific principle of “every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”
As per the philosophy of Jainism, Karma is nothing but MATTER itself. The entire universe is full of karmic matter and this karmic matter tends to attach itself to a soul, based on the actions, words, and thoughts of a soul. Each action taken, each word spoken and each thought leaves a trace on the soul. The higher the intensity (anger, greed, lust, etc) of such action, word, or thought, the stronger trace it leaves on the soul, and more importantly the karmic matter INSTANTANEOUSLY determines what fruit that action will bear. Positive action will bear positive fruit, a negative action will bear a negative one, and so on. This is how Karma explains all the weird things we see (right from untimely death to winning a state lottery). In fact, Karma even goes to the extent of explaining why you were born to whom you were born.
For a second, let us leave behind Jainism and talk about science and the universe. As per science, the entire universe is filled with matter that is made of electrons, protons, and neutrons (let us call them — particles). As per the theory of Quantum Entanglement, every particle is entangled with other multiple particles. The mysterious part about the entanglement is that both these particles communicate with each other and react accordingly when they are measured by any observer. To simplify this, if we measure one particle we shall know that it has a clockwise spin. But as we measure, there will be an INSTANTANEOUS communication to the entangled particle which will have an anti-clockwise spin. This communication happens even if both particles are 100 lightyears away from each other. Einstein found this spooky as communication was faster than the speed of light. Such is how the universe functions at a microscopic level. Today, based on these theories, we have applications such as quantum computers, super accurate GPS systems, etc.
I see a correlation between the cause and effect of Karma theory (which may bear the fruits in a different time and space than when the action occurred) and the connected reactions of particles hundreds of miles away as per the theory of quantum entanglement. Do you see it too? Or am I taking it too far?
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna too talks about the Karma theory, wherein it is explained that the universe responds to you, sooner or later, for your actions and the intentions behind those actions.
Whether you’re into Jain / Hindu philosophy or Western science, both disciplines want to tackle the same question: How does the universe work? Our Jain Tirthankars had tackled the inner workings of the universe and had a wonderfully simplified approach to it — they called it the law of Karma. Science, on the other hand, has created a relatively new field of scientific study called quantum mechanics, seeking to derive mathematical formulas to capture the universe at work. Here’s the thing, they both agree on one fundamental principle: everything we do creates corresponding energy that comes back to us in some form or the other. Intuitively, it also makes sense that the universe has a checks and balances system. Such scientific advancements solidify my belief in the karma theory.
Does it help you?
Co-authored by Aniket Shah
