In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and scientific breakthroughs, humanity continues to search for answers to enduring questions of consciousness, purpose, and existence. Reflecting this intersection of science and spirituality, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) is hosting a day-long international conference to commemorate the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
The conference, scheduled to take place on Sunday, 13 July at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi, will bring together prominent Buddhist scholars, spiritual leaders, researchers, and practitioners from around the world. Many of these participants have closely interacted with His Holiness over the years. Senior hierarchs of both national and international Buddhist traditions will also be in attendance.
At the heart of the event is a shared commitment to exploring how Buddhist wisdom remains relevant in the 21st century. As science pushes the boundaries of the known universe, the spiritual insights of the Dalai Lama continue to offer a path toward ethical living, self-awareness, and inner transformation. His teachings emphasise that spirituality must be grounded in compassion, critical thinking, and empirical understanding. He advocates questioning dogma, embracing scientific inquiry, and integrating rational analysis with meditative insight. For the Dalai Lama, ignorance is the root of human suffering, and the antidote lies in deep reflection and awareness.
The conference will explore key themes such as the relevance of Buddha Dharma in contemporary life, the future of Tibetan Buddhism and the preservation of its culture, and the connection between Buddhist philosophy and modern science, particularly in the fields of quantum physics and neuroscience. These discussions aim to bridge traditional wisdom with cutting-edge research and promote mental well-being in a fast-paced world.
Among the key figures participating in the event is Most Venerable Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, an eminent scholar and former Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration. A lifelong advocate of nonviolence and Gandhian philosophy, he remains a close advisor to the Dalai Lama. Thai spiritual leader Most Venerable Phrarat VajarasuttiwongDhammalongkornvibhusit Arayawangso, a senior member of Thailand’s Supreme Sangha Council, will also be present, along with the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche of Uttarakhand, who has received teachings from many of the great Tibetan masters of this era.
Adding an academic dimension to the dialogue, Professor Ceon Ramon of the University of Washington will share insights on the intersection of neuroscience and Buddhism. With a background in quantum optics and cognition research, he is currently involved in EEG-based techniques for treating brain disorders. Khenpo Dr Ngawang Jorden, Principal of the International Buddhist Academy in Kathmandu and a Harvard-trained scholar, will also contribute to the discussions, as will Professor Sisir Roy, a theoretical physicist known for his work on brain function modelling and ancient Indian traditions.
Venerable Dr. Tashi Choedron, a civil engineer and award-winning environmental sociologist from Malaysia, brings an interfaith and ecological perspective to the event. The spiritual leadership of His Eminence Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche Jetsun Lobsang Dorjee Pelsangpo, the 105th Gaden Tripa and supreme head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, further underscores the significance of this gathering.
The conference will serve not only as a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s life and teachings but also as a platform for dialogue between modern science and ancient wisdom. It reflects a growing global recognition that the path to human flourishing may lie in harmonising empirical knowledge with contemplative insight.
