In January, twenty of the world’s foremost scientists and philosophers, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and other senior Tibetan scholars gathered for a week in South India to discuss Quantum physics, neurosciences, the nature of consciousness, and the applications of contemplative practices in clinical and educational settings.

The event was organized by the Mind and Life Institute and Shechen’s Matthieu Ricard was one of the presenters. Also in attendance were the Shechen monks who have been following the courses and recently held a lively conference and exhibition on science in the Shechen Monastery in Nepal.

The meeting was an historical event as it was held in the presence of 8,000 monks who asked the scientists questions until late at night. As a result of this dynamic exchange and other recent developments, scientific education will now be included in the monastic studies in many Tibetan monasteries, the first major change in the curriculum in 500 years.

The proceedings can be seen on YouTube by searching for Mind and Life XXVI.