[Gem]

Originally Posted by 7luminaries

Thanks Gem. After doing a quick read, I think this is essentially the older Buddhist general term for subatomic particles and other things that exist on a quantum scale of reality.

It is the Buddhist cosmology - and we interpret in terms of a modern quantum epistemology.

Perhaps broadly also covering systems or groups of these, such as atoms and cells even...crossing into the boundary (or, crossing into the microscopic scale) of classic physics and observable reality.

Yes, masses and masses of kalapas make up the reality as we sense it.

My discussion is of the energetic and metaphysical nature of the bonds of consciousness that exist between these particles regardless of where they are and regardless of what state (probabilistic and unexpressed, observed and expressed, vascillating, indeterminant or unknown, etc) these particles are in.

Kalapas are said to consist of 8 qualities that arise together and dissolve together, so a kalapa, although being the most fundamental aspect of matter, it arises 'interdependently' and has no substance of its own.

And specifically, then, the correlation and extension of the types of foundational entanglement to the parallel metaphysical unit of individuated sentient consciousness (or what some may also call "soul", though Buddhists may prefer the former and may also tend to focus on the emptiness or symmetry (0 or oneness)-- rather than the "temporary deviation from symmetry" that all both individuated consciousness and all material reality represent, both). I prefer to explore the interbeing of differentiation rather than what seems like stultifying symmetry, so that is a disclaimer.

Consciousness in Buddhism only regards the senses; and sight, sound, taste, sensation, smell,and thought are regarded as separate consciousness', such as ear consciousness, eye consciousness and so forth. The subtext is a bit more nuanced, but that's the general gist.

A kalapa is indeed related to 'consciousness' mainly through the 8th element, 'Nutrient' - but to go into the nutrients for the mind (mind being the 'thought sense consciousness') is a whole 'nuther explanation.

Thank you for bringing up the parallel Buddhist term to quantum particles (and similar) for further clarification.

To your knowledge, do Buddhists acknowledge the causal nature and the ongoing interpenetration of consciousness into our foundational material reality, including what they call the kalapas?

Short answer, yes, but one has to understand that Buddhism has no answers anyone can conclude on. Everything I say is vastly over simplified compared to what I understand of the philosophy. It's best to think in terms of subtleties and nuances than conclusions.

Buddhism is based on the truth of suffering, the cause of suffering, ans the cessation of suffering (see 4 noble truths), so cause is fundamental aspect of the teaching. It is best articulated in the kamma teachings which basically say volition creates potentials which manifest as experience when all conditions for it come together. Volition is one the 'nutrients' I mentioned previously...

Further, do they acknowledge a pre-existing parallel unit of sentient consciousness (individuation) and its parallel systems of entanglement (albeit at a much more complex level given the unit itself)? Just curious...perhaps they do not &/or prefer to place their focus elsewhere.

Any further thoughts are also welcome.

Peace & blessings
7L

In short according to Buddhism there is no individual self. The individual lifeform is called 'santana' but there is no aspect of the santana that endures time. It arises and desists in every moment. It is, however, generally considered to be 'eternal' in a sense of transformation, yet has no essential self which transforms. This seems to contradict the other teaching on rebirth, but Buddhist perspectives on reincarnation are a bit obscure because no one is there to be reborn. In a simplistic sense, the arising of volition in this moment create potentials, and those potentials arise in subsequent moments, and therefore, the arising in this moment bears characteristics of the moment which has already passed.

If we take it to a quantum or kalapa level, the thing you think is here as the same Gem has actually been destroyed and recreated gigtrillions of times whole writing this post. Of course the characteristics are recognisably similar, as this mind/body arises from volitions of the past mind. But nothing of last moment's Gem is here in this moment. Still, this santana, mind/body/personality is regarded as eternal, in a 'now and forever' sense, as the transformation, while yet having no self-substance which is continuous.