MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY Wisdom of the Land

Transcription

1 Tue.24/03/09 MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY Wisdom of the Land The Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Royal Conferment of the Name Mahidol to the University International Conference on Buddhism and Mind Sciences: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Knowledge 6-7 August 2009 Organized by The College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University in cooperation Mahidol University originated from Thailand s first hospital (Sriraj), founded in years later it became the University of Medical Sciences. In 1969 it was renamed with great honor by H.M. King Bhumibol Aduliyadej after his own father HRH Prince of Songkla who is widely regarded as the Father of Modern Medicine and Public Health in Thailand. The conference is to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of this conferment. This is the second conference in the Buddhism and Science series initiated in 2007 by the College of Religious Studies of Mahidol University. This conference emphasizes mind sciences, particularly clinical psychology and psychiatry. Buddhism itself has been known for centuries as a religion of the mind. More than other religions, its has teachings about the mind because it believes that the mind is the source of human happiness and suffering in this life and after life. The mind is also the root cause of rebirths in the endless cycle of life (samsara). The Buddha s discovery of the four noble truths is propagated to help man to be released from this cycle. Buddhist teaching is also steered toward the prevention of the mind from being affected by impurities, and toward restoring the normal state to the disturbed mind. In mind sciences, new discoveries such as the working of the brain and the nervous system, as well as new methods of psychotherapy pose a challenge to Buddhism specially its teaching about kamma and rebirth. This challenge brings confrontation between intuitive truth about the mind propagated by the Buddha more than 2500 years ago, and modern knowledge arising out of scientific research. Though these two kinds of knowledge are gained by different methods, their application shares a common goal of helping man to get out of suffering, and find as much happiness as possible according to one s potential. Therefore Buddhism and mind sciences are not really in opposition to each other but can cooperate together for human wellbeing. Hence the exploration for this cooperation is important and ought to be done. It is the possibility for such cooperation that draws both scientists and Buddhists together. Since the beginning of the 20 th century there has been rapid growth in the number of clinical psychologists as well as psychiatrists who are taking interest in the benefits of Buddhist meditation and theory for treatment of mental problems such as stress, depression,

2 - 2 - and attentional disorders. This same period has also witnessed the development of positive psychology studying the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. The emphasis is on finding and nurturing genius and talent so that normal life may become more fulfilling. This rapidly growing field of psychology also has a strong relevance to Buddhism, which has been addressing these issues throughout its entire history. The engagement between clinical psychology and Buddhism, however, is not oneway, for in many respects the strengths of these two traditions are complementary. Clinical psychology has made much progress regarding the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases, particularly in cases where the source of the mental problem can be traced to social and biological influences. Buddhism sheds clear light on the inner causes of mental problems, tracing them back to the three fundamental afflictions of confusion, craving, and hostility. And while scientific interest in the development of mental virtues is relatively recent, Buddhism has focused on this as a central theme throughout its entire history. On the other hand, Buddhism has little to say about developmental psychology, which is a strength of the modern scientific tradition. A growing number of clinical psychologists and Buddhists are recognizing the great contributions each of these traditions has to make to the other, both in terms of their respective theories and practices. This international conference will highlight the complementary strengths of clinical psychology and Buddhism, with leading psychologists, psychiatrists, Buddhist scholars and contemplatives addressing how these two traditions may work together for the greater benefit of humanity. Some of the topics to be addressed in this conference will be the nature of mental disease and health from scientific and Buddhist perspectives, together with analyses of the inner and outer causes of mental imbalances. The relation between ethics and mental health long overlooked in modern psychology will also be addressed in ways that lend themselves to empirical inquiry, rather than simple reliance upon religious authority. Thus, rather than appealing to the authority of Buddhist tradition, Buddhist speakers in this conference will adopt the pragmatic theme of come and see (ehi passi), which was prevalent in early Buddhism. Likewise, the scientific contributions to this conference will sidestep the materialistic biases that often creep into the mind sciences and approach this topic in a spirit of open-mindedness that characterizes science at its best. All speakers are prominent persons in their own fields and have been actively involved in the integration of Buddhist meditation particularly of compassion and mindfulness (meta and sati bhavana) with modern knowledge for healing the mind. Among them are: Dr. Alan Wallace, president, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, U.S.A. He has been successfully conducting Buddhist meditation retreats around the world, and had written insightful books such as: Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment and Mind in the Balance. He had studied science during his undergraduate years and since his conversion to Buddhism he has been involved with the Dalai Lama s project of promoting the relation between Science and Buddhism in which prominent scientists in different fields, including mind sciences are invited to have dialogue with him on the relationship between scientific discoveries and Buddhist teachings. Dr. John Teasdale, Cambridge University, U.K. had received a Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Psychological Association and elected Fellow of both the British Academy and Academy of Medical sciences. He has published more than a hundred scientific papers and chapters and co-authored three books. Malcolm Huxter, a Buddhist clinical psychologist, works in public mental health in New South Wales, Australia, and has previously lived in South East Asia as a fully ordained Buddhist monk. He has written mindfulness-based programs for clinical settings and for research and has conducted several mindfulness workshops for therapists.

3 - 3 - Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist in the Mind-Body Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of the Behavioral Immunology Clinic, and is internationally recognized for his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of interferon-alpha-induced depression and anxiety. Dr. Vesna Wallace, a professor of Buddhist studies, Oxford University, U.K. Her work involves philosophical, historical, critical and comparative analyses of Buddhist traditions of South Asia, Tibet and Mongolia. Her publications include The Inner Kalacakratantra: A Buddhist Tantric View of the Individual Dr. Margaret Kemeny, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, has been known for her expertise on health psychology and psychoneuroimmunology. Dr. Lidia Zylowska, University of California, Los Angeles, a specialist in adult psychiatry, mindfulness-based therapy, and is a co-founder of Mindfulness Awareness Research Center (MARC) at U.C.L.A. Dr. Chamlong Disayavanish, professor of psychiatry, Chiengmai University, Thailand, one of the pioneers in the application of mindfulness meditation and compassion meditation to the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression in Thailand. Conference Schedule 6 Aug a.m. Registration a.m. Opening Ceremony a.m. Keynote Address: Buddhism and Mind Sciences: Confrontation and Collaboration Speaker: Dr. B. Alan Wallace President, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, U.S.A a.m. Break a.m. A Bird s Eye-view of Mental Health & Mental Illness in U.S.A. Speaker: Dr. Margaret Kemeny University of California, San Francisco, U.S.A a.m. Questions for clarification a.m p.m. Lunch p.m. Mental Health & Illness in Thailand Speaker: Prof. Dr. Chamlong Disayavanish Chiangmai University, Thailand p.m. Questions for clarification p.m. Buddhist Approach to Mental Health and Illness Speaker: Prof. Dr. Vesna Wallace Oxford University, U.K p.m. Questions for clarification p.m. Buddhist Mindfulness-based Therapy (Case study on Anxiety, Depression) Speaker: Prof. Dr. John Teasdale Cambridge University, U.K pm Questions for clarification

4 - 4-7 Aug a.m. Buddhist Mindfulness-based Therapy (Case study on attentional disorder and hyper-activity) Speaker: Dr. Lidia Zylowska University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A a.m. Questions for clarification a.m. Compassion Meditation-based Therapy and Mental Health Speaker: Prof. Dr. Charles Raison Emory University, U.S.A a.m. Questions for clarification p.m. Lunch p.m. Consequential Reflections Speaker: Malcolm Huxter Buddhist Clinical Psychologist, Australia p.m. Questions for clarification p.m. Concluding remarks Speaker: Dr. Pinit Ratanakul, Director College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University

5 The International Conference on Buddhism and Mind Sciences: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Knowledge 6-7 August 2009 Name... Title... Organization/Company Address City... State......Country... Zip Code... Phone (...)... Fax (...) I can attend on Aug Aug I plan to arrive by August and leave by August 2009 SPECIAL ACCOMODATION REQUEST. Please tick appropriate box and underline the suitable type of the room below: o Single/double room hotel (aircon) on campus (US $ 40) per day (breakfast included) o Single/double room hotel (aircon) outside (US $ 50) per day (breakfast included) o College dormitory single room (no aircon) (US $ 30) per day (breakfast at conference) Check In: Check Out: Early reservation by yourselves recommended (as vacancy is limited). The College will arrange accommodation only for participants staying at the College dormitory. Transport from the dormitory to the conference will be provided. Salaya Pavilion hotel on campus, Phone: (66-2) Ext icarisa@mahidol.ac.th Please send the registration form by 7 July 2009 to: crsconference2008@gmail.com and crwww@mahidol.ac.th Further useful contacts: The office of the College of Religious Studies, Phone: (66-2) Fax: (66-2) The College dormitory Phone: (66-2)