ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concept of motion, which is one of the most important concepts in physics. The Buddhist logician Nāgārjuna, with the help of his dialectical method, concentrated on the metaphysical concepts of change and motion without attempting to deny the concepts such as “the space already travelled” (gata), “the space not yet travelled” (agata), or “the space being travelled at present” (gamyamāna). After a detailed analysis of each of these concepts from all possible alternatives, Nāgārjuna comes to the conclusion that an existing mover cannot exhibit motion; nor can a non-existent mover carry out the movement; nor can a person carry out the movement both existent and non-existent. Motion, therefore, is indescribable, ineffable, as are the Ultimate Truths of the Buddha. Nāgārjuna’s attempt is to show that the analysis of even a scientific concept proves the truth of Buddha’s teaching that language is not in itself an adequate means of describing the ultimate Reality. In short, even from a scientific concept we are led to the area of spirituality.
