The Need and Significance of Modern Science
January, 2000
In the presence of the abbots from the major monastic centers of learning and hundreds of key monastic scholars and leaders, His Holiness announced that he would like to introduce science education to the monastic curriculum and his request for the Tibetan Library to shoulder this historic undertaking.Read the statementA monastic science center is a community space in a monastery or nunnery. It serves as a central hub for monastics to learn science and further discourse with western science. Each center is meant to be a place rich in good, authentic science. These centers are building their capacity to launch thoughtful activities that engage their community with the global world of science and technology.
Drepung Gomang Science Center founded in 2012 is another major landmark in the monastery's academic educational field. The well-equipped science classrooms and laboratory with qualified science teachers provides the best available resources to the present three batches of science classes. The center is under the supervision of Drepung Gomang Library.
The Science Centre was formed following the introduction of Science discipline as a co-curricular program in 2012. Science was first introduced into Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in 2001 under the Dharma Meets Science Project by The Tibet Institute Rikon through the patronage of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The project has completed its first phase in teaching Science (theoretical & practical on Biology, Physics & Chemistry) to a good no of student monks during the period (2001-2011). Selected student monks received further scholarships for Science study at Emory University - USA, who after their graduation are now taking the place of teacher and administering the monastery's science centre. This development is as per the project's targeted plan for the monastery to be able to organize and manage the program.
The Science Centre manages the batches of science class that commenced since its foundation and a special class formed from high school graduates and aspiring student monks with adequate English language knowledge. A special English language classes for monks are also undertaken. Well-qualified regular stationed teachers administer theoretical and practical courses; visiting professors from renowned universities in US participate in special science workshops / seminars on regular basis.
The center has created quite a vibrant science temperament at the monastic institute and elsewhere, with debates, exhibitions, seminars and workshops on science taking place at an admirable academic standard. Student monks now relate science to their philosophical study topics.
No wonder, the noble vision of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in advocating the introduction of science studies in Tibetan monasteries clearly signifies a realistic foresight.