<< His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the opening session of the international conference on Cosmology and Consciousness – A Dialogue between Buddhist Scholars and Scientists on Mind and Matter’, at the TCV school in Dharamsala, India, on 16 December 2011/Photo by Namgyal Tsewang

The conference is an initiative of the Science for Monks Program under the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), which has taught science to Tibetan monks since 2001 under the inspiration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Sager Science Leadership Institute, Emory University, and John Templeton Foundation are part of this initiative.

This conference opens up the dialogue to the Tibetan monastic community in an unprecedented way. In addition to the panelists, eighteen Tibetan scholars from thirteen monasteries and nunneries will be engaged in the dialogue with scientists for the first time.

“Monastics studying modern science is a historic step in the history of monastic education and Tibetan Buddhism. Through becoming well-versed in traditional philosophical studies and modern science, it is our hope that monks and nuns can make a significant contribution to the betterment of the physical and mental health of people everywhere,” he said.

In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama clarified that science and Buddhism do not contradict each other, as both are underpinned by a common principle of in-depth inquiry and analysis.

His Holiness spoke on how science and Buddhism can work together to bring about inner peace and happiness in the world.  “Wisdom alone is not sufficient to bring about mental peace, it should be generated by studying and training the mind,” he said.

“The Tibetan Buddhism, a quintessential part of the Nalanda tradition, is the most profound and comprehensive tradition to study the mind. It can make a remarkable contribution to the scientists. It is the precious gem of the whole world,” His Holiness said.

Emphasising the need to expand the propagation of Buddhist science and interaction with modern science, His Holiness called for greater efforts to generate more proficient science teachers and reference materials within the Tibetan community.

Thanking the scientists, His Holiness said: “You all have helped immensely in promoting knowledge in modern science and closer contact with Buddhist science. It is part of your contribution towards promoting inner values like compassion and warmheartedness, which are the seeds of inner strength and it is universal. All the major religious traditions preach these values.”

Dr Bryce E Johnson, Project Manager of Science for Monks and Staff Scientist at the Exploratorium, said: “For over 10 years, Science for Monks has brought science to select groups of scholarly Tibetan Buddhist monastics and developed science leadership within the monastic community. The conference and the workshops will position a new cadre of monastics to support and grow the dialogue between Buddhism and modern science.”

During the course of the conference, the participants will discuss a range of subjects such as the nature of mind and consciousness, life and consciousness in the universe, limits of knowledge and knowing, mind, awareness, and behaviour, and serving humanity. They will discuss how best to advance investigations at the intersection of science and spirituality.

Consonant with Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has made a historic stride in introducing science education to the Tibetan Buddhist monastic learning centers in the last one decade. Since 2001, it has established Science for Monks programme and Monastic Graduates Project through innovative partnerships with the Sager Science Leadership Institute, the Emory University, Exploratorium, and John Templeton Foundation.

Over the years, Western scientists have taught more than 220 monks and nuns about physics, quantum mechanics, cosmology, biology, neuroscience, and mathematics, all with a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry.

“Teaching the monastic graduates science, empowers them to better articulate points of relevance between and across traditions. Further, we have found that experiences rich in inquiry efficiently break down misconceptions, best represent the spirit of scientific process and provide a rich context for dialogue,” Geshe Lhakdor said.