Conference in Honour of King Bhumibol of Thailand

[Guest guest]

Initial Circular to announce the holding of an

International Conference on “Buddhism and Science”

in Bangkok 3-5 August 2007 by Mahidol University,

Thailand in celebration of the eightieth birthday of

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand

__________

 

This is the first conference on Buddhism and Science

to be held in Southeast Asia with emphasis on

Theravada Buddhist tradition. It is anticipated that

subsequently a series of meetings on the subject will

follow with participation of scholars from other

Buddhist traditions to explore the unity of Buddhism.

 

There are three primary purposes of the conference

viz.

 

1.to explore scientific approaches to consciousness

and well-being and their relevance to Buddhist

theory and practice;

 

2.to explore Buddhist orientation to these topics and

the way they may broaden the horizons of scientific

enquiry and help alleviate the inner causes of

suffering and conflict throughout the world; and

 

3. to provide opportunity to the participants to

experience the practical application of Buddhist

meditation to develop mental health and well-being.

 

Accordingly the conference will focus on three topics

viz.

 

1. Nature of consciousness Buddhist and Western

approaches to the study of the origins, nature, and

potentials of human consciousness will be discussed by

international scholars of Buddhism and the cognitive

sciences e.g. psychologists and neuroscientists.

Comparisons will be drawn between the first-person

methodologies of Buddhist meditation and the

third-person methodologies of the cognitive sciences.

 

2. Mental health and genuine happiness

Models of mental health beyond mere absence of mental

illness, and genuine happiness will be discussed. The

nature of well-being and the physical, mental and

social requisites of human flourishing will also be

explored.

 

3. Practical workshop for application of Buddhist

meditation in the fields of mental health, education

and business. This will enable participants to

experience meditation; correct attention disorder; and

cultivate emotional balance as well as sublime

emotions.

 

 

Prospective participants may contact the following

persons for details:

 

1) Dr. Pinit Ratanakul

College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University,

Salaya, Puthamoltoll 4, Nakornpathom, 73170 Thailand

Phone: (66) 2-8002630-39

Fax. (66) 2-8002659

Email: pinitratanakul2

 

2) Dr. Allan Wallace

2716 Exeter Place Santa Barbara CA 93105

Tel/Fax (805) 687-8726

Email: alanwallace