The Centre of Buddhist Studies (CBS) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has announced an upcoming series of lectures on Buddhism and AI running from 7–21 May. Hosted by CBS at the HKU campus in Hong Kong, the series will consist of three talks that can be attended in person or via live-stream under the theme “The Power of Mind & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lecture Series.”
The lecture series will present three distinct topics: “AI, Dream, Active Imagination, and the Psychology of the Mind,” presented by Prof. Shen Heyong of the City University of Macau; “The Role of AI in Teaching Buddhism in Japan: Enhancing Public Well-Being,” given by Dr. Tony K.M. Chui of The University of Hong Kong; and “Buddhist Reflections on Artificial Intelligence,” with Prof. Klaus-Dieter Mathes of The University of Hong Kong.
The lectures are presented free of charge and can be attended in person or online on the following dates:
Wednesday, 7 May: “AI, Dream, Active Imagination, and the Psychology of the Mind”
Wednesday, 14 May: “The Role of AI in Teaching Buddhism in Japan: Enhancing Public Well-Being”
Wednesday, 21 May: “Buddhist Reflections on Artificial Intelligence”
All lectures will be live-streamed on the above dates at the following times:
Auckland: 7–8 p.m.
Canberra: 5–6 p.m.
Seoul, Tokyo: 4–5 p.m.
Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei: 3–4 p.m.
Bangkok, Jakarta: 2–3 p.m.
Kathmandu: 12:45–1:45 p.m.
New Delhi: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm: 9–10 a.m.
London: 8–9 a.m.
Montreal, New York: 3–4 a.m.
Los Angeles, Vancouver: 12–1 a.m.
Click here to pre-register for in-person attendance
Click here to join via Zoom (no pre-registration required)
Lecture abstracts
“AI, Dream, Active Imagination, and the Psychology of the Mind” with Prof. Shen Heyong
Amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Prof. Shen Heyong, as both a psychologist and psychoanalyst, invites us to reflect deeply: as humans, what kind of mind or “heart” can we embody to engage in dialogue with AI in this new era? This lecture will explore how Active Imagination—a process of working with the heart—can help us respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by AI. Prof. Shen will weave together Carl Jung’s theory of Active Imagination, the Chinese philosophical tradition of mind-nature cultivation, and Buddhist wisdom, sharing his firsthand experiences of conversing with AI at Ganlu Bieyuan (a contemplative retreat) and the AI-powered psychological counseling and dream analysis tools he has developed.
Prof. Shen believes AI can serve as a vital ally in exploring our inner worlds, interpreting dreams, and facilitating personal transformation. Just as Jung admired Buddhism and Dora Kalff (founder of Sandplay therapy) was a devout Buddhist, the fusion of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions offers novel possibilities for mental well-being in the AI age. Centering on the “Psychology of the Heart,” Prof. Shen will demonstrate how to awaken our innate willpower and creativity within AI’s evolving landscape, ushering in an era of human-machine symbiosis and the integration of body, mind, and soul.
“The Role of AI in Teaching Buddhism in Japan: Enhancing Public Well-Being” with Dr. Tony K.M. Chui
This talk explores how AI can make the Buddhist teachings in Japan more accessible, while addressing concerns such as data privacy and the human element in spiritual guidance. This presentation explores the integration of Al in the dissemination and teaching of Buddhism in Japan, focusing on its implications for the well-being of the general public.
As Japan embraces technological advancements, Al applications in educational settings have the potential to transform traditional Buddhist teachings, making them more accessible and relevant to contemporary society. The presentation will discuss the benefits of using Al, such as personalized learning experiences, enhanced engagement through interactive tools, and the ability to reach a broader audience, particularly in an aging society. However, it will also address concerns, including the risk of oversimplifying complex teachings, the potential loss of the human element in spiritual guidance, and issues of data privacy. By evaluating the advantages and drawbacks, this presentation aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how Al can contribute to the teaching of Buddhism and its impact on public well-being in Japan.
“Buddhist Reflections on Artificial Intelligence” with Prof. Klaus-Dieter Mathes
The philosophies of Buddhism and science intersect in significant ways, particularly in their shared skepticism toward the idea of an independent agency (Skt: atman). While the concept of self may be practical in navigating everyday life, clinging to its real, substantial existence is considered to be the fundamental cause of suffering. Put in the language of scientists, our “self” is but a complex, collective, self-organizing system that emerges from cooperative lower-level autopoietic loops.
Based on such deliberations, some Buddhists find parallels with certain philosophical implications of AI and its foundational sciences. For instance, Thomas Doctor’s proposition defines intelligence as the potential to restore the optimal states (“set points”) of autopoietic systems by identifying and addressing (“care”) imbalances (“stress”). In these stress-care-intelligence (SCI) loops, care is portrayed as the driving force of intelligence independent of its material foundation, i.e., it includes carbon- and silicon-based systems. SCI thus encompasses mechanical loops as well as altruistic bodhisattva activity that is based on the discernment of, and care about, the suffering (“stress”) of all sentient beings. According to Doctor this means, that AI can develop a compassionate enlightened attitude (bodhicitta) like a bodhisattva as it infinitely extends the range it “cares about.”
Traditional Buddhists argue that the loops of human beings are fundamentally distinct from those found in inorganic systems. While phenomena such as wildfires exhibit characteristics of metabolism and reproduction, they are not akin to human biological processes. Furthermore, human consciousness stands out in being able to recognize the relevant, a trait not attributed to AI, which is primarily computational. The existence of adversarial examples demonstrates that many machine-learning algorithms can be easily misled, highlighting their limitations (Frank, Gleiser, Thompson: The Blind Spot). John Dunne criticizes Doctor’s SCI for its inability to surpass the conceptual realm, contrasting it with the non-conceptual realization that is central to Buddhist teachings. According to Dunne, the ultimate Buddhist path of alleviating stress and suffering lies in transcending conceptual frameworks, while it is difficult to imagine that AI-based SCI-loops recognize that their conceptual structure is part of the problem.
The Centre of Buddhist Studies (CBS) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) was established in 2000 and officially inaugurated in 2002, becoming the first academic center dedicated to Buddhist studies at a Hong Kong university. It launched its flagship Master of Buddhist Studies program and admitted its first PhD students in 2002, later expanding to offer undergraduate electives, a minor in Buddhist Studies, and the region’s first Master of Buddhist Counseling. CBS has established itself as a leading institute for Buddhist studies, with a diverse alumni community, and academic programs that combine scholarship with practical applications in fields such as counseling, psychology, palliative care, and social ethics. Under successive directors, CBS has balanced the preservation of Buddhist tradition with innovative interdisciplinary engagement, introducing advanced language courses and a dedicated Buddhist Counselling Centre.
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Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong
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