Silver Jubilee Celebration of Science for Monks and Nuns
15-20 April, 2025
The Science for Monks and Nuns program began under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who has long advocated for dialogue between science and spirituality. In 1999, the Dalai Lama provided a vision and directive for the exiled Tibetan monastic community in India to engage science and to initiate science trainings that would eventually support new learning at the frontiers of science and Buddhism. This initiative was hence born from a shared vision to bridge the ancient wisdom of Buddhist Philosophy with the modern discoveries of science, and to introduce science to scholarly monks at the three great monasteries of Gaden, Drepung, and Sera. Over the years, the program has created a profound impact on the monastics, while allowing them to learn science through respectful dialogue between traditions.
The 25th Anniversary Celebration of SFMN was held for six days from 15th April to 20th April, 2025. The first four days of events took place at Thekchen Choeling Temple, McLeod Ganj, and the remaining two days of events were observed at LTWA.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Kyabje Samdhong Rinpoche and Special Guest Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, along with Bobby Sager, Chairman of Science for Monks and Nuns. Other esteemed guests included LTWA Director Geshe Lhakdor, Chief Executive of SFMN Karma Thupten, Chief Supreme Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Kalon Changra Tharlam Dolma, and several distinguished attendees, including science teachers who have taught the monastics throughout the years. In the afternoon, panel discussions among the abbots were held on the topic “Future of Science for Monks and Nuns”, which was later followed by a cultural show and dinner event at TIPA.
On the second day, participants were briefed on the Exhibition by the presenters, and panel discussions were held after lunch on the topic “The world of your senses”. “The World of Your Senses Exhibition” shares parallel perspectives from Buddhism and Western science on sensory perception. From the Buddhist perspective, sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch are perceived by the five consciousnesses, and the sixth consciousness is the mind. The original concept was envisioned by a dedicated and curiosity-filled group of thirty Tibetan Buddhist monks living in India. The making of the exhibit was supported through a unique collaboration between the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, the Sager Family Foundation’s Science for Monks Program, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The exhibit is a hand-painted, fifteen-panel show on canvas in the traditional Tibetan thangka painting style, and woven into panels. This exhibition is the result of many years of work growing out of directives from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his long history of engaging Western scientists in dialogue.
On the third day, presentation sessions titled “My Earth, My Responsibility” were held, highlighting the intense climate crisis. Climate change is a global problem facing our planet. Buddhist traditions highlight how greed, chasing after desire, and seeking happiness through material experiences have led to the runaway consumption of resources and unprecedented pollution. But seeking happiness through material gain has not satisfied our thirst for happiness. From the Buddhist perspective, this approach has failed us. The solution is to seek mental happiness through mental experiences, to limit our greed, and find contentment in what we already have – live a simpler life. Chasing after appearances and ignorance of the nature of reality have led to this global problem. As a society, our many small deeds got us into this mess, but they can also get us out.
On the fourth day of the event, panel discussions were held on the topic “The Secrets of Particles”. The “Secrets of Particles” delves into the secret realm of particles, drawing intriguing parallels between quantum mechanics and the Buddhist concept of interdependence and emptiness. As we navigate the frontiers of Science and Buddhism, the exploration of particles through the lens of quantum mechanics and the insights of Buddhist philosophy offers a profound journey into the nature of reality. This kind of exploration may unlock at least some aspects of the secrets of the universe and cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The “Secrets of Particles” display was created by the third leadership cohort after they finished their leadership training. The exhibition is about particles, which educates about particles from Buddhist and quantum perspectives.
On the fifth day, Senior Abbots, teachers, and participants were shown the LTWA overview movie and taken around the LTWA departments and Science centre by LTWA Director Ven. Geshe Lhakdor. They later watched the Science project video in the afternoon at the Annexe hall.
On the final day of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of SFMN (20th April 2025), the abbots, participants, and all the teachers visited the Tibet Museum, CTA. After lunch, various groups were formed where discussions were held regarding the future prospects of the Science for Monks and Nuns program, followed by cultural performances presented by the Rolyang club of LTWA. With the closing ceremony, the celebration of the Silver Jubilee concluded on a pleasant note, filled with a sense of gratitude, achievement, and joy.
