The 2026 Woodenfish Forum on Buddhism, Science, and the Future will convene at the Grand Hotel in Taipei from 5–7 June under the theme “Rewriting Reincarnation in the Light of Frontier Biotechnology.”
The forum will bring together Buddhist scholars, scientists, philosophers, and media professionals to examine how advances in biotechnology and neuroscience may challenge traditional understandings of life, death, mind, and consciousness.
According to the Woodenfish Foundation, the forum will consider developments in regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapies and telomere extension, which organizers say are “reshaping our fundamental understanding of aging and disease.” The foundation added: “As life becomes increasingly extendable, and even partially restartable, traditional conceptions of life and death are being challenged in unprecedented ways.” (Woodenfish Foundation)
Venerable Yifa, founder of the Woodenfish Foundation and researcher at the Harvard University Asia Center, told BDG that in light of advances in science, “some Buddhist doctrines will need to be updated in their explanation of reality of life. For example, the traditional Mahayana discussion of rebirth talks about the bardo or intermediate stage where the consciousness sees a mother and father and enters the womb. But since the dawn of IVF [in vitro fertilization], there has been the conception of embryos without the mother and father being present.”
Ven. Yifa noted that the important question now was: “How will Buddhism respond? Can Buddhism be very scientific?”
A central focus of the forum will be the Buddhist concept of reincarnation, which, the foundation noted, has “long been regarded by many Western scholars—and even some Buddhist academics—as difficult to verify.” (Woodenfish Foundation) Scholars from the University of Virginia are expected to discuss Buddhist approaches to postmortem consciousness through rituals of transference and liberation.
The forum will also consider developments related to the brain—computer interfaces and related technologies. Researchers from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will present work in brain-machine interfaces and nano-cybernetic biotechnology. Organizers said these technologies may offer new ways of thinking about memory, consciousness, and the philosophical foundations of rebirth, while also holding potential for treating mental disorders.
“In confronting the ultimate question—what are mind, consciousness, and soul?—a documentary producer from PBS will share perspectives from scientists, philosophers, and religious thinkers,” the foundation stated, referring to Robert Lawrence Kuhn of the TV show Closer to Truth. (Woodenfish Foundation)
Ven. Yifa said she believed that the Buddha’s teachings had important contributions to make to this dialogue, and could in turn learn a great deal from others.
“I don’t believe the Buddha’s attitude is that, ‘what I say is all the truth, and don’t trust the science!’ I think the Buddha would say, ‘Hey, let’s have a dialogue and let’s see if what I have attained in enlightenment can even be verified by science,’” she told BDG. “Buddhism needs to update and use more scientific language to share with people.”
The Woodenfish Foundation said the forum was founded “to engage Buddhist thought through the lens of scientific inquiry, and to ask whether the ultimate truths it proposes can withstand the scrutiny—and dialogue—of modern science.” (Woodenfish Foundation)
Taiwan has a large and diverse Buddhist population, with major organizations such as Fo Guang Shan, Dharma Drum Mountain, Tzu Chi, and Chung Tai Shan playing prominent roles in religious, educational, and charitable life. In recent decades, Buddhist institutions in Taiwan have also been active in dialogue with science, medicine, and social ethics.
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2026 – 7th Woodenfish Forum Buddhism, Science & Future (Woodenfish Foundation)
Woodenfish Foundation
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