智慧之海：達賴喇嘛與當代科學家的對話

From "living room dialogue" to "public dialogue,"
How did the eminent lamas of Tibetan Buddhism maintain a thirty-year dialogue with leading contemporary scientists?
How did they discuss profound scientific and Buddhist knowledge?
How did they address the profound differences and immense chasm between Western science and Eastern Buddhism?
What does such a dialogue mean for contemporary Buddhism and science?
What insights does it offer each of us?
Starting with wisdom, from vast lands to deep oceans, when religion meets science, it sparks philosophical fire!

The Dalai Lama: The exchange between Buddhist science and modern science is undoubtedly a dialogue between two major Eastern and Western civilizations. Not only can we learn much from Western science, but modern scientists can also learn a lot of knowledge from the wisdom of Dharma in Buddhism. Such a mind-to-mind dialogue and discussion is not only very beneficial to both sides, but also helps to enhance human intelligence and promote world peace.

The "Mind and Life Dialogues" between the Dalai Lama and Western scientists have continued for thirty years. As the root guru of Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, he advocates dialogue and exchange between different religious faiths, promotes and actively participates in the dialogue between Eastern Buddhist traditions and Western contemporary science, advocates universal values and universal responsibility, and advocates a secular ethics beyond religion based on science and rationality.
The book "Ocean of Wisdom: The Dalai Lama in Dialogue with Contemporary Scientists" introduces how eminent lamas of Tibetan Buddhism have maintained a thirty-year dialogue with leading Western scientists. How do they discuss profound scientific and Buddhist knowledge, and how do they address the profound differences and immense chasm between Western science and Eastern Buddhism? What does such a dialogue mean for contemporary Buddhism and science? What insights does it offer each of us?
This cross-century exciting dialogue is, on one hand, academic exploration, and on the other hand, benefiting sentient beings and helping the public find a path to inner happiness. On these two levels, modern scientific knowledge can help us better understand the nature of reality, which Buddhism calls "suchness," while the Tibetan Buddhism, which excels in "introspection," and its vast Buddhist scriptures can compensate for the shortcomings of modern science in exploring human nature.

What exactly did the Dalai Lama and scientists discuss?
Discussing the Big Bang
The Dalai Lama said that according to Buddhism, there was a moment when the entire universe formed in that instant, then continued to exist for a period, then disintegrated, and finally everything returned to emptiness for a considerable period. Buddhism talks about the formation, continuation, destruction, and return to emptiness of world systems. These four stages circulate cyclically, which are "formation, dwelling, decay, and emptiness." In Buddhist scriptures, they are called "four kalpas," which are the basic concepts of Buddhism regarding the changes of birth and death in the world.

Discussing the Nature of Mind
The Dalai Lama also explained some tantric views: The fundamental nature of the mind is purity, and this pure nature is called "clear light." Various emotions that cause suffering, such as desire, hatred, jealousy, etc., are products of conditions, which Buddhism calls "缘" (conditioned arising); they are not the nature of the mind itself. When the clear light of the mind is obscured or suppressed by various "conditions," painful emotions arise, which Buddhism calls falling into suffering. However, by using appropriate meditation and practice, one can transcend suffering, experience the clear light nature of the mind, and embark on the path to liberation and fundamental enlightenment.

Discussing AI
Neuroscientist David Potter asked the Dalai Lama: If at some point in the future, we have enough knowledge to create an organism using genetic engineering of proteins and amino acids, or using engineered chips and circuits, so that "it" possesses all our virtues without any of our flaws, would you do it?
The Dalai Lama smiled and replied, if it's possible, just do it; that would save us a lot of trouble.

Discussing how to solve world problems
The Dalai Lama commented that when world leaders meet, whether it's the G7 or the G20, they don't focus on whether people are happy. We need more interpersonal cooperation based on trust, respect, and love.
Today's world is full of suffering, killing, and various disasters. "Disasters are created by humans themselves," His Holiness said, "but people expect God to solve them. Isn't that absurd? For Buddhists, how can we pray to the Buddha to solve problems that we Buddhists created?"