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Contestable times

A conversation with a theoretical physicist, a philosopher and a Buddhist teacher

A panel presented by the American Communities Program at California State University, Los Angeles.

  • Welcome by moderators Dr. Maria Karafilis and Dr. Pablo Baler
  • A philosopher’s view of time by Dr. John McCumber, Distinguished Professor of the UCLA Department of Germanic Languages
  • A theoretical physicist’s view of time by Dr. Julian Barbour, physicist specializing in quantum gravity and the history of science
  • A Buddhist’s view of time by Venerable Thubten Chodron
  • Dialogue between panelists
  • Questions from the audience
    • Time as mystery
    • Time in the context of relational quantum mechanics
    • The development of science in non-Western cultures
    • Time in the context of past and future lives
    • Does time have a beginning?
Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.

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