Emory-Tibet Science Initiative: Changes in Monastic Science Learning Motivation and Engagement During a Six-Year Curriculum

Led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, initiative taken Tibetan Buddhist monastic community to connect with western science and scientists presents a unique opportunity understand motivations engagement behaviors that contribute learning. In this study, we draw on quantitative data from two distinct surveys track related education among students. The first survey was administered at one university in 2018, second follow-up completed students universities 2019. These assessed reception of monastics their demonstration engagement-with-science behaviors. We also tested for variation over time surveying all years curriculum. identified are motivated perception studying has an overall positive effect benefits studies, rather than negatively affecting personal or collective goals. accordance finding, behave ways encourage fellow scholars engage concepts. Survey responses were disaggregated study indicated changes motivation during six-year insights support relevance considering novel educational setting inform ongoing work expand inclusiveness . Our findings provide direction future avenues enhancing exchange knowledge practice between Buddhism science.