Contemplative Practices in a Technological Society Keynote: Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche

Abstract

The intention of this conference, http://www.cpe.vt.edu/cpts/index.html, is to create a roadmap to sustainably integrate contemplative practices into our lives: in the classroom, in the research laboratory, in the office, in healthcare, in the arts, and in the workplace. The conference will be organized to examine the foundations of contemplative practice, to access the current practice, and to create a plan for the future development of contemplative practice. Woven throughout the conference will be opportunities for instruction in mind body disciplines as well as times for contemplation. This conference is targeted to (but not limited to) regional professionals interested in contemplative practice. Individuals who are currently involved in contemplative practice as well as individuals who are interested in becoming involved in contemplative practice are invited to attend. The conference is intended to provide an incubator for long-term working partnerships leading to growth in related professional activities. The intention is to provide an intimate atmosphere for the development sustainable interactions (including future conferences) as well as idea generation. The conference will open with remarks from the Virginia Tech Provost, Mark MacNamee, and followed by an introduction by Douglas Lindner, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The keynote speaker is Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche, who represents the tradition of contemplative practice. His Eminence (H.E.) Trungram Gyaltrul Rinpoche is a prominent lama of Tibetan Buddhism known throughout the world as a scholar, teacher and meditation master. With a doctorate degree from Harvard University in 2004, Rinpoche is the first incarnate lama to earn a PhD in the West. His western academic training allows Rinpoche to accurately translate the full subtlety and effectiveness of meditation practices for the western student. Rinpoche is the spiritual director of Dharmakaya, a non-profit organization established in New York to promote precious meditation teachings in the U.S. In 2011, Rinpoche opened the Lumbini Udyana Mahachaitya - World Center for Peace and Unity, the largest temple and meditation hall complex at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lumbini, Nepal - the birthplace of the Buddha. Rinpoche began his monastic training at the age of four including direct tutelage from the heads and senior teachers of all the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. He is a Rimé, or non-sectarian, master of Tibetan Buddhism and is fluent in Tibetan, English, Nepali, Sherpa and Chinese, and knows Sanskrit, Hindi and French.