For
decades, Western scientists and clergy have focused on areas of fundamental
disagreement between science and religion. Yet, the question of evolution vs.
creationism has virtually no bearing on people’s every day lives. In contrast, His
Holiness, the Dalai Lama has focused on areas of compatibility between Tibetan
Buddhist teachings and modern science. He has also sponsored research designed
to foster greater emotional well-being for all humanity. Dawn Gifford Engle documents
His Holiness’s engagement with the scientific community in The Dalai Lama:
Scientist, which releases tomorrow on VOD.
Even
as a child, before he was recognized as the reincarnate Lama, the young Tibetan
Buddhist displayed a natural curiosity about the way things work. As the
titular head of the Tibetan society in exile, the Dalai Lama has fostered
scientific education and opened dialogue with some of the world’s leading
scientists. Many prestigious physicists, biologists, and neuro-scientists
consider him a personal friend, but the Dalai Lama’s relationship with the late
Francisco Varela receives special focus.
Throughout
the film, Engle and the Dalai Lama’s colleagues identify key areas of quantum
physics, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience where Tibetan Buddhist
teachings largely concur with the latest cutting-edge theories. In fact, the
Venn diagram overlap is often quite striking. Engle never dumbs down any of
this heady material, which is admirable. However, she heavily relies on
archival video footage of the Dalai Lama’s scientific symposiums. There is just
no getting around the fact this is a talking film.
Still,
His Holiness’s warmth and charm still come through, even when he is discussing
quantum mechanics. It is also clear just how learned he truly is. In contrast,
it is impossible to imagine Xi Jinping holding his own in such scholarly
company (“Xi Jinping Thought”—seriously, spare us the self-aggrandizing
pretension). Engle rigorously focuses on the Dalai Lama’s scientific
initiatives, but she still mentions in passing an effort by Beijing-controlled
scientists to have him disinvited from at least one scientific conference. She
also gives a scrupulously accurate nutshell explanation of how the CCP’s
occupation of Tibet led to His Holiness’s exile in India.
As
films go, Dalai Lama: Scientist is not very cinematic. Frankly, the last
fifteen minutes or so start to drag, because Engle largely turns the doc into an
infomercial for some of the Dalai Lama’s emotional intelligence programs. Regardless,
it is still impressive to see a film that addresses such lofty scientific and
spiritual subjects. This is actually a faith-based film that will make viewers smarter
about science. Highly recommended for curious minds (whether they be Buddhist,
agnostic, or something else entirely), The Dalai Lama: Scientist releases
tomorrow (5/19) on VOD platforms, including iTunes.
