Buddhism and Science in East Asia

Catalog description

The relationship between religion and science, and by extension between Buddhism and science, has been long investigated by scholars and practitioners attempting to understand questions regarding the nature of reality, knowledge, and experience. While the meeting of Buddhism and Western science dates back to the nineteenth century, the discourse of “encounter” between these two systems of knowledge intensified with the Dalai Lama’s suggestion to institutionalize a dialogue between Buddhist practitioners and Western scientists in 1987. This seminar examines this on-going dialogue from its beginning in China about 200 years ago through today. Throughout the first half of the seminar, we will discuss the writings of influential Buddhist figures, examining how Buddhism and science were deeply intertwined in the thinking of Chinese intellectuals and practitioners. These texts will introduce fundamental concepts and practices in Buddhist theories such as consciousness, mind, and meditation, as well as Buddhist metaphysics. Through secondary literature students will be able to situate the readings within historical and cultural context and consider the exchange of knowledge from different perspectives. The second half of the semester will focus on the contemporary “encounter” and will expand beyond China to other parts of East Asia as well as to research (especially neuroscience and cognitive science) and new-age adaptations of Buddhist knowledge and practices (e.g., mindfulness). Readings are all in English.