By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 1: In line with his long-held vision to bridge science and Buddhist knowledge, exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Thursday kicked off the first ever dialogue with a group of Chinese scientists on ‘Quantum effects’ at the Tsuglakhang temple here.
The Tibetan leader who has spearheaded several dialogues under the banner of the ‘Mind and Life’ initiative over the course of last 30 years on many topics said that he was overjoyed to initiate proceedings participated by Chinese scientists and Tibetan scholars who ethnically share cultural and religious ties.
“I’ve had useful discussions with scientists for more than 30 years and likewise today’s dialogue with several purposes in mind. The first purpose is to extend our knowledge. This kind of dialogue is therefore extremely important, as a means of contributing something to future humanity, by enabling each tradition to benefit from the other,” the octogenarian Tibetan leader said.
The opening day of the dialogue saw Chinese scientists led by Nobel laureate Professor Yuan Tseh Lee discuss issues such as space-time symmetry and quantum physics, quantum mechanics and the theory of entanglement and quantum biology and modern photonic revolution-the sun, the light and the photonics chip.
A nine-member panel of scientists including Dr Shih Chang See, physicist, Dr Chii Dong Chen, Research fellow at the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, Dr Yueh-Nan Chen, distinguished professor in Department of Physics at National Cheng-Kung University, Dr Shawn Y. Lin, Chair Professor at Future-Chips Constellation and Physics Department of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, Dr Ting-Kuo Lee, Physicist, Professor Maw-Kuen Wu, Research fellow at the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, Professor Albert M. Chang, Duke University, Professor Chung-Yuan Mou, Chemistry Department of National Taiwan University will be presenting on their respected field of study during the three-day dialogue, the Dalai Lama Trust which organised the event said.
While the discussions were fundamentally academic in nature, the Tibetan leader chipped in to say that the Tibetan and Chinese people shared a long and eventful history of both violence in the form of wars as well as of peace, predominantly on religious sphere. He said that politically, Tibet is not seeking separation but to live within China provided there is genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people and freedom to practice its unique culture and uphold its identity.
The Dalai Lama said that union between the Tibet and China would mean that while Tibetans gain economic welfare, China which is traditionally a Buddhist country can benefit from Tibetan Buddhism and knowledge, particularly with its ever growing Buddhist population in mind.
