“The Dalai Lama: Scientist” Review
Science and religion are, by definition, completely unrelated. One rests in belief and the other known facts verified by observable, repeatable experimentation. And yet, there is a strange phenomenon that occurs in icons in intellectual fields. At some point in their lives, the magical perfection of the universe inspires an inquiry into the divine.
Albert Einstein once remarked, “I do not believe in a personal God, and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious, then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it.”
It’s in this equal and opposing volley of thought that director Dawn Gifford Engle documents the curious and sharp scientific mind of one of the world’s remaining spiritual leaders, The Dalai Lama. Throughout his 85 years, the Tibetan Buddhist leader has targeted his meditative focus on technology. Honing in on the potential for technology to improve the quality of life, expand our understanding of the universe and in his way attempt to quantity the seemingly unquantifiable ‘enlightenment’ in master practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
In formal delivery director, Dawn Gifford Engle’s film is structured with the practicality of a 90s made for high school educational video. The graphics are straight outta powerpoint, the transitions are grating, and even for the completely uninitiated, it’s hard to grapple with the Buddhist translation of scientific phenomena. However, there’s something incredibly powerful contained within the series of discussions between the Dalai Lama and his cohort of key advisors (as well as a surrounding chorus of monk students) and their prominent scientific guests. It’s fascinating to watch this significant theological figure sweep into the fog of religious thought like a refreshing breeze. The Dalai Lama is intent on ensuring that his acolytes see the mutually beneficial pursuits of science and theology.
Despite that formal framing the documentary impressively catalogues a series of fascinating and discussions between the Dalai Lama and hugely influential scientific figures. The conversations, which span decades, resulting in expanding understanding of evolving fields, and deepening personal relationships with the prominent figures. The dialogue is fruitful, the concepts are abundant. This varied and dense subject matter is certainly not beyond the ageing holy leader, he’s at a level of understanding and articulation that he’s able to simplify incredibly dense concepts on the fly and ask leading provocative questions to his guests.
This reviewer could be categorised on the spectrum between agnostic and atheist and yet; there’s something in the warmth, compassion and curiosity of the Dalai Lama that makes him a hypnotic presence to watch. Those who follow his teachings all look struck with comforted sedation. It’s as if those around him are like children who’ve recently sipped a delicious and instantly internally warming hot chocolate.
“The Dalai Lama: Scientist” is a refreshing bridge between the theological and scientific that harnesses the purity of that natural impulse to disassemble to see how something works. This documentary doesn’t stand up to scrutinising its parts, but his Holiness makes this experiment worth your while.
