December 16-18, 2011
Tibetan Children’s Village, Dharamsala
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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Press Release
Brochure (Tibetan and English)
Full Text of the Conference Proceedings
In the Press
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Day 1
Life & Consciousness in the Universe
Astrobiological and Buddhist perspectives on life and mind in the universe. Under what conditions, and where might life and consciousness flourish? Is there a connection between cosmology and consciousness and how do these investigations impact our sense of place in the world we inhabit?
Inaugural Speech by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Video on YouTube
Download the Transcript
Are We Alone? The Search for Life in the Universe
Christopher Impey
Video on YouTube! (58 minutes)
Download the Transcript (22 pages, pdf)
Life & Consciousness in the Universe
Geshe Jangchup Choeden
Video on YouTube (52 minutes)
Download the Transcript (11 pages, pdf)
The New Anthropocentrism
Rajesh Kasturirangan
Video on YouTube (35 minutes)
Download the Transcript (12 pages, pdf)
Panel Discussion – Life & Consciousness in the Universe
Moderated by David Presti
Download the Transcript (13 pages, pdf)
Day 2
Nature of Mind & Consciousness
How do concepts from the cognitive sciences and neurobiology interface with concepts from Buddhism and other contemplative traditions? What are the relationships among mind, consciousness, and brain? What are the various perspectives on the survival of consciousness after death?
Is Consciousness Produced by the Brain?
Bruce Greyson
Video on YouTube (84 minutes)
Download the Transcript (29 pages, pdf)
Does One Need to be Conscious to Have Consciousness?: Buddhist & Neuroscientific Perspectives on Consciousness
Geshe Lobsang Negi
Video on YouTube (85 minutes)
Download the Transcript (10 pages, pdf)
Panel Discussion – Nature of Mind & Consciousness
Moderated by Chris Impey
Download the Transcript (11 pages, pdf)
Day 2
Limits of Knowledge & Knowing
What are the possible limits to theories of the very large and the very small? Can the currant scientific paradigm facilitate a deep understanding of consciousness?
The Boundaries of Science
Paul Doherty
Video on YouTube (44 minutes)
Download the Transcript (13 pages, pdf)
New Directions in the Dialogue Between Buddhism & Science
David Presti
Video on YouTube (41 minutes)
Download the Transcript (13 pages, pdf)
Panel Discussion – Limits of Knowledge & Knowing
Moderated by Chris Impey
Read the Transcript (15 pages, pdf)
Day 3
Awareness, Emotion & Behavior
Investigating the relationships between the physical brain, the mind, behavior, and our emotions. Exploring cognitive science and Buddhist notions of mind, happiness, and peace.
The Relationship Between Sensory Consciousness & Mind Consciousness
Geshe Nyima Tashi
Video on YouTube (47 minutes)
Read the Transcript (11 pages, pdf)
The Neurology of Self-awareness & Buddhist Perspective
Sisir Roy
Video on YouTube! (46 minutes)
Download the Transcript (10 pages, pdf)
Body, Mind and the Three Nyepa
Pema Dorjee
Video on YouTube (46 minutes)
Download the Transcript (7 pages, pdf)
Sleep: A Window to Evaluate Neurophysiological Correlates of Higher States of Consciousness
P.N. Ravindra
Video on YouTube! (48 minutes)
Download the Transcript (8 pages)
Panel Discussion – Awareness, Emotion & Behavior
Moderated by David Presti
Read the Transcript (8 pages, pdf)
Panel Discussion – Serving Humanity
Moderated by Chris Impey
Download the Transcript (12 pages, pdf)