Srinagar, June 10: Stating that there was no clear cut distinction between reason and faith, Dr. Victoria Lysenko, research professor at the Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow, Thursday opined that faith does not require clarification from the side of reason.
 Dr. Lysenko, Russian research scholar of Buddhism was speaking at a lecture ‘faith and reason’, organized by Centre for Central Asian Studies of the University of Kashmir. The session was presided over by Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi.
 “Faith or belief, and reason” said Dr. Lysenko “are commonly seen as being fundamentally in opposition to each other”. However, this presumption of a sharp opposition between belief and reason is being re-examined and discussed.”
 “Within Buddhist tradition, the relationship between faith and reason has been subject of sustained inquiry since ancient times” she said. She said while this tradition was always held that Buddha’s enlightenment could not be grasped or expressed in its entirety by reason or language, Buddhism, she said had consistently held that reason and language should be highly valued.
 Prof Punjabi said the concept of self realization had its roots in most of world religion and also in Islam. “Self realization or the concept of ‘Know thyself’ is present in all religions albeit in various forms and this concept helps achieve the ultimate goal – the truth” he added. VC expressed hope that such intellectual discourses would help in intellectual growth of scholars and students of the varsity. “New dimensions of understanding would certainly open up with such interactions and I look forward to more sessions of such nature in future as well” he added.
 Dean College Development Council and Director Area Studies Program (CCAS), Prof. M A Kaw, said the presentation of the scholar was relevant in this present age of conflict. “It was ethically and morally a good lesson in the case of global competition” he added.

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