Buddhism and Science in a Dialogue

Fostering conversation and dialogue across traditions is essential to sharpen our understanding, know each other better, and create richer forms of human flourishing. Buddhism and science engage in a cultural dance, exchange, and dialogue where they challenge each other's assumptions. It is important not to use science to justify Buddhism or vice versa, but to recognize them as different frameworks of understanding. Buddhism, being a value system, can critically interact with science and challenge its assumptions. While science has made incredible advancements, it also has a checkered history with ethical questions. The Buddhist tradition provides a deep repository of ethical thinking. A balanced dialogue in a cosmopolitan context values different traditions and allows them to engage in an open, no-holds-barred conversation, where they improve each other. Cosmopolitanism provides a philosophical framework to guide this dialogue. It is possible for science to explore the physiological and psychological benefits of meditation, including Buddhist practices, especially in secularized contexts, to signal to skeptical individuals the potential benefits of these practices.