BDG staff and invited editorial contributors marked the online journal’s 30th anniversary with a landmark symposium on 3 September, organized by Buddhistdoor, and hosted at BDG’s administrative center at Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society (TLKYCS) in Vancouver. The conference welcomed nearly 100 attendees, including Buddhistdoor and TLKYCS directors, local monastics and laypeople, along with editorial contributors and collaborators from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Reflecting the nonsectarian stance of the platform, the symposium also hosted monks from Theravada and Vajrayana schools to enjoy the event alongside TLKYCS’s Chinese Mahayana sangha.
BDG’s contributors and collaborators, who include scholars, artists, conservators, publishers, activists, teachers, and community leaders, came together in person for the first time in the journal’s 30-year history to network, to bond, and to explore one of the most pressing topics of our time: the intersection of artificial intelligence and Buddhist philosophy. There were also recorded talks by guests who were unable to attend in person, including Korean Dharma master and social activist Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, the executive director of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation Dr. Tashi Zangmo, and BDG columnist and Buddhist dance expert Joseph Houseal. The milestone occasion was covered by local media, including Vancouver’s Chinese-language TV station Phoenix.
The core intent of the symposium was to explore the potential ramifications of the AI age—both positive and negative. The conference fostered a profound dialogue on the ethical implications and practical applications of AI, revealing a community thoughtfully navigating the path between technological ascension and fidelity to a spiritual notion of sacrosanct humanity—in the case of Buddhism, more broadly, sacrosanct sentience or consciousness.
The speakers’ insightful addresses contributed to a rich tapestry of perspectives, revealing a spectrum of conclusions, from enthusiastic adoption to cautious skepticism, ultimately pointing toward a consensus on the need for ethical and mindful application, and to discern productive use from unwholesome deployment.
Compelling evidence of this embrace came from Rebecca Wong, who detailed her work in Bhutan. She highlighted “Buddhabot,” an AI program developed through collaboration between Kyoto University and the country’s Central Monastic Body. This initiative, slated for deployment across Bhutan’s monasteries, is a significant indication of a very traditional institution adopting cutting-edge technology to preserve and promote the Dharma.
This theme of preservation was further illustrated by conservationist Ann Shaftel, who presented a groundbreaking application of AI designed to digitally recreate and restore original Tibetan thangka paintings and temple artworks. She was careful to advocate that the purpose was not to improve existing physical art, but to create precise online models, allowing original colors, details, and artistic intent to be accurately seen, studied, and preserved for future generations, safeguarding cultural heritage against the ravages of time.
The potential and need for outreach was another key area of focus. Multiple speakers, including Kassidy Evans, discussed the powerful influence of social media on youth, sparking conversations on how these modern platforms—and the AI tools that power them—could be harnessed strategically to spread the Buddhist teachings and connect with a broader, younger audience. This was foreshadowed by TLKY chairman Prof. C. F. Lee’s welcome speech, in which he highlighted the struggles of young people as a core concern of our time. Evans’ optimistic view was supported by Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, who shared the perspective that AI should be used to promote the Dharma, provided it is implemented with necessary precautions and ethical considerations.
However, a note of caution balanced the optimistic outlook. John Harvey Negru offered a more skeptical view, expressing deep concern about AI’s uncontrollable and even “unfathomable” nature, which make it difficult to manage and predict, raising alarm about the potential for unintended consequences and ethical dilemmas. Dr. Grace Song highlighted how, without a Won Buddhist ethical approach, students could face major problems with their well-being when in digital spaces.
Other speakers addessed their own journeys and areas of specialization, contributing to an immensely successful conference. Dr. Daniel Millet highlighted his work editing and curating Buddhistdoor en Español (BDE), Buddhistdoor’s Spanish-language platform and the dominant Hispanophone Buddhist publication. Houseal’s talk shared the intricacies and beauty of Buddhist dance and its importance to BDG. Tiffani Gyatso gave a unique talk about the centrality of the erotic in the spiritual life, tying yab-yum imagery and tantric philosophy to the primal impulses that must be united for an authentic, open, and loving—as well as spiritual—life. Ratnadevi offered attendees a welcome break with her guided mindful body movement exercise and facilitated discussion.
The symposium concluded not with a unified verdict, but with a clear and purposeful direction. The majority of presenters and attendees demonstrated a willingness to thoughtfully entertain AI’s impact. The prevailing sentiment leaned strongly toward cautious optimism—a collective agreement that the ethical use of AI could present significant opportunities for preservation, education, and promotion, provided it is approached with wisdom, careful intention, and a firm grounding in Buddhist principles.
Related news reports from BDG
AI: Japanese-Developed “BuddhaBot Plus” to Debut in Bhutan
Special Issue from BDG
Digital Dharma: Buddhism in a Changing World
Related content from BDG
BDG 30th Anniversary Messages (YouTube)
Buddhistdoor 30th Anniversary Celebration Page (Buddhistdoor)
