This groundbreaking meeting, which began the Dialogue series, was inspired by a shared interest in opening a conversation between Buddhist thought and cognitive science to mutually inform and enrich these two distinct modes of exploring existence.

[From the original program] This gathering is inspired by a shared interest in establishing a dialogue between Buddhist thought and cognitive science which can illuminate these rich and distinct modes of exploring mind and life. The discussions will take place in the meeting room of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. They are styled not as a conference nor a debate, but in an atmosphere of a living room conversation. Some sessions are structured as presentations on specific topics, with questions and answers aimed at clarification. Other sessions are designed as free flowing discussions with designated themes.