David Bohm’s Ideas in Physics
and the Prasangika view on Interdependance
Friday 9 October 2020
13:30 to 17:00
Since 30 years, His Holiness the Dalaï Lama and many scientists have engaged a dialogue between Science and Buddhism, especially through the Mind and Life Institute.
Inspired by the necessity of this meaningful exchanges, Nalanda Monastery has created A Dialogue between Science and Buddhism meetings which aims are (1) to present in a understandable way some scientific and buddhist complex topics to a large audience, and (2) to create connections between scientists and buddhist scholars.
This year, following the promotion of the film Infinite Potential, the Life & Ideas of David Bohm to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama 85th anniversary, we though it would be interesting to discuss David Bohm’s ideas in physics and the highest buddhist philosophical view on interdependance - or emptiness.
Speakers & panelist
Geshe Tenzin Namdak
Geshe-la first worked as an environmental researcher having graduated in hydrology. He started studying Buddhism at Maitreya Institute in The Netherlands in 1993 and took ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama before engaging in his formal studies in Buddhist philosophy and psychology at Sera Jey Monastic University, South India, in 1997.He completed the entire twenty-year Geshe program at Sera Jey Monastic University in 2017 and the traditional one year Vajrayana study program at Gyume Tantric College in January 2019, the first Westerner to do so. Currently, he is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London.
Because of his deep interest and background in science and as a member of Sera Jey’s Education Department he spoke on and organized various dialogues and conferences on contemporary science and ancient Buddhist contemplative knowledge of the mind and its philosophy.
Laura Domenech
Laura obtained a degree in physics at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse - France - in June 2019. She is now 22 years old and she is studying at the University of Zurich - Switzerland - for a master’s degree in cosmology. She is aiming for a PhD to invest in fundamental research.She started giving physics lectures to Nalanda at ven. Gyaltsen requests to share her passion and to establish a discussion so that the different knowledge of the universe can become accessible and beneficial to more people.
‘‘I am passionate about understanding of universe, how it works, how it evolves. Physics is for me one of the tools we have at our disposal to address these issues. The rigor and the rational approach of Buddhism, especially, is in some aspect close to the scientific method. Science and Buddhism have different approaches, but through dialogue, both parties can enrich themselves and broaden their vision of the world.’’
Laura already gave a lecture at Nalanda on the theme of Quantum Field Theory on 12 January 2020.
Yves André
Yves is a French Astrophysicist, is deputy manager of the Science department in a space agency. He has 30 years of experience in space science projects. In particular, he was project manager of Microscope, fundamental physic project in space. He was awarded for the first Microscope in-orbit results with the Servant prize of the Science Academy of Paris in October 2019.ANDRE received a Ph. D in astrophysics at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse France in October 1990 and a master’s degree in aeronautic engineering from ENSICA Toulouse France in June 1985.
Moreover, ANDRE practices and studies the Buddhism in the Vajra Yogini Institute in France. He followed there the FPMT Master Program and completed the final exam in December 2019.
Schedule for this event
13:30 Presentation of A Dialogue Between Science and Buddhism at Nalanda Monastery
13:45 Laura’s presentation on David Bohm’s Ideas in Physics.
14.20 Geshe Namdak’s presentation on the Madhyamika Prasangika view on interdependance.
15.10 Break (20mn)
15.30 Discussion with the panelist and the public.
16.30 Questions and answers with the audience
16.55 Conclusion and thanks
