Buddhism and Artificial Intelligence

Buddhism is interesting for artificial intelligence because of the central position of "mind" and related concepts and the way how mind is explored and investigated. Large part of early Buddhist scriptures can be read as an introspection guide that stresses observation and investigation. The resulting ontology is comparable in size and complexity to modern Psychology but focuses more on the acquisition of self-knowledge than on pathological states.

Introspection

Mind subsystems and mind phenomena are observed and investigated by means of introspection. The quote below has been taken from medieval "Mahamudra" teachings:

"Next, [...] you must examine thoroughly the moving mind or train of thought, and be made to recognize it for what it is. [...] Place yourself in a state of clarity [...] and let a fleeting thought arise all of a sudden from this state, or purposely emanate a thought of whatever seems suitable."

Buddhist Terminology

As a result, a detailed terminology has emerged that is comparable in size and complexity to modern psychology with a distinctive focus on practical application, rather then just describing phenomena.

• Ahamkara or "I-Making"
  The process of creating a "self"
• Mamankara or "My-Making"
  The process of creating "mineness", that is creating the sense that an outer object belongs to me.
• Samskara
• Skandas - "mind" as sense organ