Leh, May 15 : Drawing connections between Buddhist philosophy and contemporary scientific thought, Geshe Dorji Damdul on Wednesday delivered a lecture at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, exploring Arya Nagarjuna’s philosophy of emptiness, quantum physics and their relevance to emotional well-being and human understanding.
The lecture, organised by Flowering Dharma in connection with the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of the Tathagata, formed part of the fourteenth day of the ongoing exposition in Leh and witnessed participation from scholars, students, officials and members of Buddhist organisations from across Ladakh.
Held at Central Institute of Buddhist Studies on May 13, the programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Geshe Dorji Damdul, followed by a devotional presentation by members of Flowering Dharma as an offering to Lord Buddha. The welcome address was delivered by Rajesh Ranjan.
During the lecture, Geshe Dorji Damdul examined areas of convergence and divergence between modern science and Buddhist philosophy, particularly in relation to consciousness, ethics, mental well-being and the broader purpose of life. Referring to global discussions surrounding sustainable development and mental health, he observed that both science and Buddhist inquiry attempt to understand reality, though through distinct methodological frameworks.
He highlighted that while modern science often functions through specialised disciplines such as physics, chemistry, neuroscience and psychology, Buddhist philosophy approaches reality through an integrated and interconnected perspective.
Elaborating on Buddhist epistemology, he referred to the classification of phenomena into evident, slightly hidden and very hidden categories, and raised questions regarding whether future scientific developments may eventually engage with concepts such as rebirth and consciousness beyond material explanation.
The lecture also explored philosophical discussions surrounding śūnyatā, or emptiness, alongside concepts of quantum vacuum, cosmology and the Big Bang theory. Drawing parallels between Buddhist notions of substratum emptiness and the derivative universe with contemporary scientific understandings of an evolving universe, he encouraged participants to reflect on the relationship between perception, reality and existence.
Speaking on ontology and soteriology, Geshe Dorji Damdul described ignorance as the fundamental source of human suffering and emphasised the importance of compassion and ethical consciousness in addressing emotional distress. Referring to observations made by Albert Einstein, he spoke about extending compassion beyond individual attachments and linked the idea to teachings found in Buddhist sutras.
He also discussed philosophical differences between Buddhist perspectives on existence and evolutionary theories proposed by Charles Darwin in Origin of Species.
The lecture concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session involving students, scholars and officials. A felicitation ceremony was also held during the programme, during which Prof. Rajesh Ranjan presented a Thangka painting of Lord Buddha to Geshe Dorji Damdul, while representatives of the UT Administration and Flowering Dharma honoured the speaker with traditional khataks and mementoes.
