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many US prisons, even when books and other religious EBT (Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist
items are restricted. More people world-wide can Understanding). It is set up to aid monastics and laity
connect with supportive Dharma communities, as well. alike to conduct their studies of the DhammaVinaya,
Challenge: With so much Dharma available via the web, based on Early Buddhist Texts (EBT), with particular
people may think they don’t need a qualified teacher. emphasis on Pāli sources.
Anyone can post so-called ‘Dharma’ on a YouTube
channel, FB page, or webpage, but may provide Min Wei: In fact, technology has been significantly
misinformation. YouTube algorithms don’t take into helpful in my study of Buddhism in several ways: the
account the quality of what’s posted. While qualified internet provides access to a vast array of Buddhist
Dharma teachers aren’t necessarily interested in search scriptures, texts, commentaries, and teachings.
engine optimization, those who have questionable This accessibility allows individuals to explore
motivations will be. It may be harder to discern various aspects of Buddhism, fostering a deeper
genuine Dharma on the web. understanding of the teachings. Numerous apps offer
guided meditation sessions, timers, and resources for
Can you share your personal experiences regarding mindfulness practice. These tools help individuals
how technology has aided your study, practice, and establish and maintain a regular meditation practice,
propagation of Buddha’s teachings? regardless of their location. Various websites and
platforms offer structured online courses and
Aggacitta: First of all, I concede to ChatGPT for educational programs on Buddhism. Furthermore,
generating very comprehensive answers to all the through digital platforms, the propagation of Buddhism
questions (except this one) for this forum. My editor has reached a global audience, allowing people from
and myself had a hard time summarising them to fit diverse backgrounds to engage with and explore
into this forum format. Most of the answers are built Buddhism.
around current technological perspectives beyond my
expertise as a Buddhist monk, and yet are still very Tsepal: Over the years, I’ve certainly taken advantage
aptly ‘Buddhist’ in tone. These AI generated answers of Dharma teachings and meditations on CDs, MP3,
save me a lot of time having to read up on such modern online videos and streamed teachings. I’m not a fan
technologies that I am not at all familiar with. of meditation apps, but have benefited from various
websites like Sutta Central, thubtenchodron.org,
As for my own study and practice of the StudyBuddhism.com and Uma-Tibet.org. Search engines
DhammaVinaya, the digitalisation of our Pāli scriptures have made researching the Dharma much easier.
has made it so convenient to make comprehensive
research into profound Buddhist concepts and In brief what is your advice to AI developers so that
controversial aspects of Dhamma practice. This is also their creations contribute to the happiness and
facilitated by the many other supplementary resources well-being of sentient beings on Earth?
freely available online. The findings from such research
have brought about ground breaking realisations on Aggacitta: By adhering to the following principles,
how to practise effectively according to the suttas. I AI developers can create technology that aligns with
also use properly animated slides and images during Buddhist values and contributes to the happiness and
my workshops, Dhamma talks and meditation retreats well-being of sentient beings.
when appropriate.
● Prioritize the principle of non-harming, avoiding the
I am currently leading a team of volunteers to upload development of AI systems that could cause harm
authentic material based on the early Pāli suttas to the to sentient beings, directly or indirectly. Recognize
data source of a Buddhist AI chatbot called NORBU- the interconnected nature of all life, and ensure that