Biology-Buddhism Intersections
Our team integrates Buddhist philosophy and practice throughout its scholarly work and activities, resulting in a unique transdisciplinary research environment. The infusion of Buddhist thought and practice into our lab started with Dr. Denver's sabbatical at Maitripa College in 2011-12, and has evolved and diversified through the years. We include trainees from diverse backgrounds and cultures, different global Buddhist traditions, and opportunities to learn and practice meditation and mindfulness in our environment. Recently, Dr. Denver joined the steering committee for the OSU Contemplative Studies Initiative to build new collaborations and partnerships on campus.
The Dharma in DNA
Dr. Denver published The Dharma in DNA: Insights at the Intersection of Biology and Buddhism with Oxford University Press in April, 2022. The Dharma in DNA has three objectives: (1) to share the rich but underappreciated history of biology–Buddhism intersections and surprising harmonies between the two traditions, (2) to evaluate Buddhist teachings from a scientific perspective using DNA as the focus of study, and (3) to propose a new approach to science, Bodhi science, as an ethical and operational framework for conducting Buddhist wisdom–guided science and preventing pseudoscience. This book resulted from more than a decade of research, starting from the Maitripa College sabbatical and subsequent travel to Sri Lanka, Hawai'i, China, and India as well as countless conversations with past and present lab team members. Check out The Dharma in DNA!
Bodhi Science
In The Dharma in DNA, Dr. Denver proposed a new approach to doing science immersed in Buddhist wisdom: Bodhi science. Meditation and mindfulness activities have been incorporated into lab routines for many years, and in the time ahead we plan to further integrate Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and practice into our training environment, communications, and daily routines. Bodhi science strategies value four qualities in scholarly work: awareness, compassion, non-attachment, and selflessness. Read Ch. 9. Bodhi in The Dharma in DNA to learn more! A proposal was recently submitted to the Templeton Foundation to advance Bodhi science.
Bodhi Trees
The team also investigates the history, evolution, symbiosis and ethnobiology of Bodhi trees (Ficus religiosa). Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, achieved enlightenment sitting under what came to be known as the 'Bodhi tree' in ~500 BCE. Ever since, this tree lineage has spread and coevolved with Buddhist cultures across Asia and more recently other parts of the world. As it has arrived in places such as Hawai'i and Florida, conservationists have become concerned about the potential invasiveness of this fig tree species that is sacred to Buddhist and other communities. Many, many, many undergraduate students have contributed to an analysis of chloroplast DNA diversity and evolution in F. religiosa from different global sources. Subi Pal, a continuing graduate student with the team, is currently investigating the coevolution of chloroplast DNA and mitochondrial DNA in this species. Two summer student interns, Keoe Hoe and Triet Ho, are investigating Bodhi trees in North America and Hawai'i. Jazlee Crowley, an incoming graduate student, will investigate the symbiosis of F. religiosa and pollinator wasps. We are working hard on completing analyses and getting our first Bodhi tree publications out there!
The Dharma in DNA
Dr. Denver published The Dharma in DNA: Insights at the Intersection of Biology and Buddhism with Oxford University Press in April, 2022. The Dharma in DNA has three objectives: (1) to share the rich but underappreciated history of biology–Buddhism intersections and surprising harmonies between the two traditions, (2) to evaluate Buddhist teachings from a scientific perspective using DNA as the focus of study, and (3) to propose a new approach to science, Bodhi science, as an ethical and operational framework for conducting Buddhist wisdom–guided science and preventing pseudoscience. This book resulted from more than a decade of research, starting from the Maitripa College sabbatical and subsequent travel to Sri Lanka, Hawai'i, China, and India as well as countless conversations with past and present lab team members. Check out The Dharma in DNA!
Bodhi Science
In The Dharma in DNA, Dr. Denver proposed a new approach to doing science immersed in Buddhist wisdom: Bodhi science. Meditation and mindfulness activities have been incorporated into lab routines for many years, and in the time ahead we plan to further integrate Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and practice into our training environment, communications, and daily routines. Bodhi science strategies value four qualities in scholarly work: awareness, compassion, non-attachment, and selflessness. Read Ch. 9. Bodhi in The Dharma in DNA to learn more! A proposal was recently submitted to the Templeton Foundation to advance Bodhi science.
Bodhi Trees
The team also investigates the history, evolution, symbiosis and ethnobiology of Bodhi trees (Ficus religiosa). Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, achieved enlightenment sitting under what came to be known as the 'Bodhi tree' in ~500 BCE. Ever since, this tree lineage has spread and coevolved with Buddhist cultures across Asia and more recently other parts of the world. As it has arrived in places such as Hawai'i and Florida, conservationists have become concerned about the potential invasiveness of this fig tree species that is sacred to Buddhist and other communities. Many, many, many undergraduate students have contributed to an analysis of chloroplast DNA diversity and evolution in F. religiosa from different global sources. Subi Pal, a continuing graduate student with the team, is currently investigating the coevolution of chloroplast DNA and mitochondrial DNA in this species. Two summer student interns, Keoe Hoe and Triet Ho, are investigating Bodhi trees in North America and Hawai'i. Jazlee Crowley, an incoming graduate student, will investigate the symbiosis of F. religiosa and pollinator wasps. We are working hard on completing analyses and getting our first Bodhi tree publications out there!
