SCIENCE for MONKS

"Neuroscience is the most interesting subject in science for me because it is related with all the philosophical and ethical questions in our lives. Just like we need to consult doctors when we have physical problems, we need to consult or deepen our neuroscience to have a complete view about ourselves."

"We can teach the essence of science and Buddhism through collaborations and comparisons. It is like an exciting new discovery that’s not happened before. It is also helpful for preserving Tibetan culture and heritage."

"For me learning science is not only to know new things and widen horizon, but also to preserve our culture and heritage."

"This world is world of the science, not religion. We have a big problem that is not lack of science, it is not enough of compassion and inability to control human attachment. My dream is to promote compassion with science education, that is why I learn science."

"Monks and nuns studying science is a very good idea and our leadership students have the responsibility to make this effort a success. Gradually, through ongoing consulting with the monasteries, we can find a away to teach science to the general monastic population as part of their curriculum without causing any damage to their traditional studies."

"Science education becoming part of monastic education is very important and beneficial. Due to technological advancements countries are becoming closer and closer - this will help in educational exchanges."

"Although, some people worry if monks studying science can contribute something positive to the universe. Most of the people in the monastery are aware of the monks studying science and how it is important. Now, the next step will be starting science classes in the monasteries and we need your advice, how to introduce this according to monastery curriculum... soon we will give you good news."

"Monks teaching science to other fellow monks is a very important step. This will not only bring science to the monastic community, but will also lay a firm foundation of science within the entire Tibetan community."

"If science becomes a part of the monastic curriculum, this can not only enhance the Buddhism, but also can also be complementary in science too."

"I love writing, my main aim is to share knowledge, especially science with other students - my monk classmates and all the monks."

"At the age of thirteen I joined a secondary school but faced a lot of difficulties in learning science, the lessons were in Chinese and the teachers were just teaching us to pass the test. After that I joined the monastery and studied astrology, Buddhist philosophy, poetry, grammar, and all of the Tibetan traditions, I had a very good teacher. I also learned about lunar and solar eclipses, exactly as it happens according to the international calendar and the Tibetan calendar, so I became very curious to learn more about modern astronomy."

"Studying science has had a great impact on me. Science is something that pervades its influence on every life and for me has created abroad or open outlook towards my Buddhist studies."

"This century is century of globalization and the introduction of science education is very important. Buddhism has imported ideas from lots other traditions in the past, and although we face a little obstacle of terminology translation, it will not be too difficult to introduce science education."

"When learning science, I was attracted to the deep and profound explanations of atomic particles. Since then, I was deeply interested in learning science."

"Science focuses more on external development, not so much the internal development. Buddhism pays much emphasis on the internal development, not so much on the external development. So monks by studying science can find how to bring these two together."

"These two topics are of special interest to me. At first, how the mind interprets phenomina around us and then how our affirmation of the self effect the body and functions of mental consciousness."

"These two topics are of special interest to me. At first, how the mind interprets phenomina around us and then how our affirmation of the self effect the body and functions of mental consciousness."

"Neuroscience is the area where I can see that science and Buddhism can benefit most from each other. I think that this can bring results that can be beneficial to all the sentient beings."

"I learn science to analyze science and Buddhism and spread out the good points between these two. Moreover, I would like to teach science to those who are eager to learn."

"As for the Tibetans our present knowledge is not enough to fulfill all of the needs of the Tibetan people. The part of knowledge that is missing in our society is scientific knowledge. So His Holiness encourages Tibetan monastic communities to learn science and to translate this scientific knowledge into Tibetan language for the future generations of the Tibetan people. For the non-Tibetan people in the present world, they have a very good knowledge of science. Their understanding of the material world is high but this is not enough for them to live a happy life, and spirituality is lagging behind. We hope that this kind of education may contribute some spirituality to the scientific community."

"Science is part of a good education and that it is necessary now in our society. As science becomes a standard education subject at the same time we need to learn Buddhism and science hand-in-hand. So the next generation will pay attention to the Buddhist traditions."

"Our monastic abbots need to gather and pass resolution that makes science part of monastic education during a time when the Dalai Lama is present. We must be creative and find ways to teach science at many levels of study."