With an interest in better understanding the concept of what consciousness is, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to take part in extensive discussions beginning tomorrow with some of the world’s leading scientists and philosophers on topics ranging from quantum physics to neuroscience. Phayul.com has reported on Jan. 16, 2013, from Dharamshala, India, The Dalai Lama and top scientists gather in Mundgod for Mind and Life conference. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has arrived in south India from New Delhi to take part in the "Mind and Life XXVI: Mind, Brain and Matter - Critical Conversations Between Buddhist Thought and Science," to be held from January 17-22 at the Drepung Loseling Monastic University in Mundgod Tibetan settlement, Karnataka state.
During this six-day event 20 of the world’s foremost scientists and philosophers will come together with the Dalai Lama and other senior Tibetan scholars in the attendance of several thousand monks and nuns from numerous Tibetan monastic centers of learning. The organizers have said the conference will engage in important questions of mutual interest and challenges dealing with the fundamental nature of our physical world, the problem of consciousness, the nature and workings of the human mind, and the interface which exists between contemplative practice and scientific research.
The conference will also offer an educational forum, whereby the monastic students will be able to learn about the historical development of science, and how science has come to shape the way we understand our world around us. Recently, science studies have been introduced in the highest examinations which are conducted by the Gelukpa University. Beginning in 2014 monks studying in the final four years of the regular monastic study programme and the first two years of the Geshe Lharampa degree curriculum, which is the equivalent to a doctorate of Philosophy, will be required to appear for science examinations over a period of six years.
