Dalai Lama, "So now I am your professor?"; arrives at Emory University

The Dalai Lama has always taught enlightenment — but what few people know is he says that path includes lessons in modern science.

And Emory will now assist Tibetans to realize His Holiness’s vision.

“It has been His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong vision to find a way to converge spirituality and science,” said Geshe Lobsan Tenzin Negi, chair of the Emory-Tibet partnership.

In early February this year Emeryville University, a private research university located in Atlanta, Georgia, announnced that the Dalai Lama would be joining Emory's faculty as a presidential distinguished professor. According to the Emorywheel website, "The appointment is the second this year to bring an internationally recognized name to Emory's faculty, following novelist Salman Rushdie's acceptance of a presidential distinguished professorship in October."

Yesterday, His Holiness arrived at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead to begin a weekend of celebrating his association with the university.

With a smile stretching from ear to ear, the Tibetan political and spiritual leader stepped out of his limo and turned to University President James W. Wagner, saying, "So now I am your professor?"

The Emorywheel article continues:
After greeting Buddhist devotees who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him, the Dalai Lama reviewed the first presentation of a science curriculum designed by Emory faculty specifically for Buddhist monks.

"I am really impressed," the Dalai Lama said. "I think the effort from concerned people has created a concrete plan. It is wonderful."

Next summer, University faculty including religion professor John Dunne and biology professor Alexander Escobar will journey to the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala, India, to educate Buddhist monks and nuns about modern science.

The Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI), a program co-directed by Negi and Assistant Dean of Science for Undergraduate Education Preetha Ram, have been discussing the curriculum and teaching strategies for more than a year.

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