The Dalai Lama and Swami Atmapriyananda were key figures in the seminar Mind and Life XXII: Contemplative Science: The Scientific Study of Contemplative Practice on Human Biology and Behaviour at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, India, which explored some of the rich Indian philosophical and cultural heritage, including the Vedanta, Jain and Yoga traditions. His Holiness the Dalai Lama then gave an inspired speech about the importance of this dialogue as an expansion of the contemplative traditions that modern scientists are studying, which will allow for a more holistic approach to the study of Contemplative Science. “Years ago, I told our monasteries it is very good to learn science,” His Holiness said. “At first there was resistance and skepticism to this, but now after just five years, we have created a whole curriculum. And now we are starting to study non-Buddhist thought, so that we have monks with fuller knowledge. We must also study living traditions, like Christianity, Islam, and modern philosophy.” His Holiness explained the two purposes of the Mind and Life dialogues from his perspective: 1. To expand knowledge not just of subatomic particles but of the mind. This will help modern science to become complete. 2. With the help of science, we should attempt to discover ways to promote happiness, and to help the world.
Swami Atmapriyananda gave an overview of Indian traditions and explained how they are connected not so much by dogma, but as a means of investigating reality. Thupten Jinpa presented a review of Buddhist philosophy, describing the process of Ground- Path-Result. Ground is the aim – what one is attempting to attain – a clear understanding of reality. Path is what one does to attain the goal, incorporating the understanding of reality by adopting correct view, through internalization (meditation) and right action. The result is the genuine freedom achieved by following the Path. Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad offered that one challenge facing Contemplative Science is the concept behind the word “mind.” While the West uses one word to describe many aspects of mind, Buddhist and Indian traditions have several words used to describe different nuances of mind. (read more)