The Monastery and the Microscope

October 15, 2017

Since 1987, the Life and Mind Institute has sponsored conversations between prominent scientists and the Dalai Lama. Hasenkamp (science director, Life and Science Inst.) has compiled the lectures and discussions of the 26th such conference in 2013. The participants represent a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, including theoretical physics, biology, neuroscience, psychology, and education. Because of the diversity of thought among the attendees, the material is both accessible and erudite. Initial lectures develop the idea that recent scientific understandings challenge a number of modern philosophical assumptions--such as the concept of an entity or object--that might be better analyzed in terms of Buddhist epistemology and metaphysics. Later articles deal more closely with brain science and psychology as they relate to Buddhist practices. Hasenkamp includes the back-and-forth that occurred within the lectures, particularly those involving the Dalai Lama. Discussions of specific Buddhist doctrines are generally avoided. The conference ends with the Dalai Lama's appeal for secular ethics based on Buddhist principles. VERDICT One comes away from this work wanting to learn more; an insightful read for those with a greater interest in the inquiry than the answer.--JW

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