Branches of Existence: Merging the Many-Worlds Interpretation with Buddhist Thought
The Many-Worlds Interpretation (#MWI) of quantum mechanics and #Buddhist philosophy share intriguing parallels that can be woven together into a deeper philosophical exploration. Both frameworks challenge the conventional understanding of reality and self, offering profound insights into existence, interconnectedness, and the nature of choice. **Reality as Infinite and Interconnected** In MWI, every quantum event branches into multiple realities, creating a multiverse of infinite possibilities. Similarly, Buddhist cosmology often describes countless realms of existence, interconnected through karma and the law of dependent origination. The Huayan school's "Indra’s Net" metaphor beautifully illustrates this: every jewel in the net reflects all others, symbolizing the infinite interdependence of all phenomena. This resonates with MWI’s idea that all "branches" are connected within a single universal wavefunction. **The Self and Emptiness** Both MWI and Buddhis...