His Holiness the Dalai Lama is causing controversy at the Society of Neuroscience(SfN). He has been invited to speak at the SfN’s annual meeting on Nov. 8-12 in Washington D.C. Many neuroscientists are opposed to the Dalai Lama speaking at the convention because of his doctrine involving various ideas that are against the very foundation of neuroscience, such as reincarnation. The Dalai Lama will present his theory that meditation has been shown to change neurological status in circuits in the brain that may be important for compassionate behavior. These findings and theories were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal in 2003.

The Dalai Lama’s speech will discuss the effects of meditation on the brain. With the Mind and Life Institute, the Dalai Lama helped research the relationship between compassionate behavior and meditation. Mind and Life is a non-profit institute dedicated to finding a connection between Buddhism and modern science that the Dalai Lama helped to establish

The Dalai Lama has long had a interest in science; he has said that if he did not become a monk he would have pursued a career as an engineer.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to have a prominent religious leader at a scientific event,” said Dr. Jianguo Gu, a neuroscientist at the University of Florida who helped draft a petition against the Dalai Lama’s lecture.

The petition, which 544 scientists have signed, states: “it will be unwise if the reputation of SfN, built on the work of many neuroscientists over the past 30 years, is to be tainted by questionable decisions.” It reiterates that the key issue is not the right of anyone to speak at the convention, but whether the dialog will be appropriate.

These scientists say the Dalai Lama’s lecture will “highlight a subject with largely unsubstantiated claims and compromised scientific vigor and objectivity at a prestigious meeting attended by more than 20,000 neuroscientists.” The Dalai Lama’s appearance may violate Article II of the Society of Neuroscience Bylaws, which states: “the purposes of the Society are scientific, educational, literary, charitable, and no other.”

The petition, which may be read in full at www.petitiononline.com/sfn2005/, cited several major problems with the Dalai Lama’s appearance at the convention. The simplest of them is that members of the Society did not join SfN for politics or religion, but to study and discuss scientific facts.

There are many who are more knowledgeable on the topic of meditation than the Dalai Lama. Scientists have made suggestions in their petition. Those opposed to the Dalai Lama’s lecture believe that the SfN’s choice shows a preference for publicity over quality.

Also a concern is the looseness in which the terms “educational,” “literary,” and “charitable” are defined. If these terms continued to be freely defined, they may begin to blur the border between scientific practices and religious ritual. Apprehensive scientists would prefer a lecturer with more objective research and with less attachment to religion and politics.

Dr. Carol Barnes, president of the Society of Neuroscience, said that the Dalai Lama has agreed not to talk about religion or politics and will not cancel the lecture.