On June 13, the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at UC Berkeley hosted a powerful and timely conversation on the future of education. An engaged and thoughtful audience gathered to hear from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, Dr. Richard Davidson, Dr. Justin Kelley, and Susan Kaiser Greenland in a rich dialogue moderated by GGSC’s Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas.
The event was grounded in the speakers’ shared commitment to the Tergar Schools project, an initiative inspired by Mingyur Rinpoche’s vision to bring centuries of Buddhist wisdom into meaningful dialogue with the needs and challenges of modern education
Together, the speakers explored how contemplative practice can help young people regulate emotions, foster compassion, and experience greater well-being. Drawing from Tibetan Buddhist tradition, cutting-edge neuroscience, and lived classroom experience, the conversation painted a compelling and hopeful vision for education: one rooted in awareness, compassion, and joy.
Mingyur Rinpoche spoke movingly about the power of recognising awareness as the foundation of all experience. His aspiration for Tergar Schools is to bring this recognition into the fabric of everyday school life, not as something abstract or outside of daily activity, but as something gently woven into how children learn, relate, and grow.
Dr. Richard Davidson offered key insights from decades of neuroscience research, affirming that qualities like awareness, compassion, and emotional balance are not only essential for human flourishing, but can be nurtured and strengthened over time through intentional practice.
Dr. Justin Kelley, Executive Director of Tergar Schools, and Susan Kaiser Greenland longtime contemplative educator and board member of Tergar Schools shared practical updates on how the project is unfolding. They highlighted the development of the Tergar Schools Model, a deeply human, culturally responsive, and holistic educational framework. At it’s core, the Tergar Schools Model features activities and practices that thoughtfully integrates Mingyur Rinpoche’s teachings across age groups and subject areas, offering students and teachers alike a path to greater self-awareness, resilience, and interpersonal warmth.
We’re deeply grateful to Dr. Davidson for his support in bringing this event to life, and to the Greater Good Science Center team for so warmly hosting this important and inspiring conversation.
The seeds of transformation have been planted—and with continued care and collaboration, they are beginning to grow.
