Western science has advanced our understanding of many foundational issues in cognition, and has expanded psychological and philosophical explorations of the mind. Among the central topics addressed in this scientific endeavor are perception, concept acquisition, the nature of conceptual thought, and the role of language in cognition, and the origins and content of our sense of self. These topics, so central to contemporary cognitive science, have also been an important focus of classical Indian and Tibetan thought, especially in the Buddhist Abhidharma accounts of mind and in the epistemological tradition of Dignāga (fifth century) and Dharmakīrti (seventh century).

This Mind & Life Dialogue, co-organized with the Dalai Lama Trust, India, was held at Sera Monastery in Bylakuppe with an aim to advance both the project of scientific education in the monastic universities, as well as the developing dialogue between the Tibetan and Western academic communities.

LOCATION: Bylakuppe, India


Session Videos

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 1

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 2

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 3

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 4

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 5

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 6

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 7

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXX – Session 8

Mind and Life Institute • December 17, 2015

Topics: Brain & Cognitive Science | Contemplative Wisdom | Self & Other


Participants

Richard J. Davidson, PhD

William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founder and Chief Visionary for Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc.

John Dunne, PhD

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD

Upaya Institute and Zen Center

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Founding Steward

Wendy Hasenkamp, PhD

Science Director, Mind & Life Institute

Planning Committee Member, Reviewer

Thupten Jinpa, PhD

Compassion Institute

Board Chair

Catherine Kerr, PhD

Brown University

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Grantee

Lobsang Tenzin Negi, PhD

Emory University & Drepung Loseling Monastery

Fellow

Matthieu Ricard, PhD

Karuna-shechen

Convening Faculty, Fellow

David Vago, PhD

Vanderbilt University

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Reviewer

Christine Wilson-Mendenhall, PhD

Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Fellow, Grantee, Reviewer

Carol Worthman, PhD

Emory University

Reviewer