A Landmark Undertaking for the Convergence of Science and Spirituality

(Please click here to go directly to the Emory Tibet Science Initiative website.)

In February 2006 Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, visited Emory University as a Halle Distinguished Fellow. During his visit, Dean Robert Paul convened a meeting in which Geshe Lhakdor invited the university to collaborate on the design and implementation of a comprehensive science program for Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns. In this meeting, Dean Paul stated, "The Emory-Tibet Partnership was established with the intention that it be a two-way exchange of people and ideas. Emory's potential involvement in the science education project will help us to fully realize that idea. This is an exciting initiative, possibly one of the most exciting initiatives that the University could be part of."

The invitation met with an enthusiastic response from both the university's administration and science faculty. As stated by President James Wagner, Emory's complete commitment toward creating an ongoing and sustainable program, thereby realizing His Holiness the Dalai Lama's vision of comprehensive science education within the monastic curriculum, is evidence of Emory's courageous leadership and bold vision of transformation through knowledge.

By accepting this invitation, Emory has embarked on an historic initiative to expand the horizons of knowledge for Tibetan monks and nuns. The vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only to give Tibetan monastics new tools for understanding the world, but also to give those monastics tools to contribute to the effort of translating time-tested Buddhist contemplative knowledge in a practical way that can help relieve suffering around the world.

"I deeply appreciate that Emory University has accepted my invitation, and has made a commitment to fully collaborate with the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives to develop and implement a comprehensive and sustainable science education program for Tibetan monastics. I have long believed in and advocated a dialogue and cross-fertilization between science and spirituality, as both are essential for enriching human life and alleviating suffering on both individual and global levels. The Emory-Tibet Science Initiative has a unique opportunity to fulfill this need, and thus make a contribution not only to the Emory and Tibetan communities, but to the world at large, by expanding the horizons of human knowledge and wisdom." - H.H. the Dalai Lama

Please click here to see the acceptance letter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in which he describes the importance of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, and President Wagner's letter to His Holiness.