SO TO ZEN - Shasta Abbey

6 Sōtō Zensupposition, its uniformity can be only partial and cannotextend to the whole of life. It remains abstract and not concrete.Science cannot survey broadly the meaning of the world andhuman life nor explain the capabilities of man or the positionin which he finds himself. Therefore, we contend that it isnot omnipotent. We must fully understand the objectives ofscience and integrate them into the experience of daily life.This can only be done by something outside of science: thereligious spirit. Science together with religion will show menhow they can find the cause and cure for suffering and freethemselves from the attachments that perpetuate the cycle ofbirth and death. Religion, however, must include and embracescience. If religion places too much stress on miracles andbecomes unscientific, it will not be able to fulfill its mission.ToynbeeÕs new world history is written from a viewpointthat attempts to reveal a universality in which there is a loftyrationalism trusting in science, a progressive humanism emphasizingthe respect for and emancipation of mankind, and adiscarding of narrow provincialism. The religion of the futurecannot overlook these points: 1) freedom of the spirit, 2) respectfor reason, 3) tolerance toward other religions, 4) respectfor all beings. Freedom essentially is the right to follow oneÕsown conscience without being subject to any outside pressure.To be able to choose our own religion is also a matter of freedom.It is impermissible to compel anyone to adopt specific