The Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama reached Niihama city at Southern island of Shikoku Tuesday morning.
The Dalai Lama had a public discussion on "Mind and Brain" with Dr. Mogi Kenichiro, one of the noted young Japanese brain scientists, in which some 400 monks and general public participated at the Corporation Kaikan hall of the city.
He said that he was happy to have this opportunity to discuss on the scientific and academic aspect of Buddhist teaching with one of the Japanese scientists. He said that just as science tends to investigate and analyze the matter to prove its points, Buddhist teaching also stresses importance of analyzing and debating the teaching before accepting the facts.
The Dalai Lama will give explanation on 'Heart Sutra' and teaching on 'Understanding the Wisdom of Emptiness to Help Humanities' in the city tomorrow.
The spiritual leader is in Japan to take part in a meeting of Nobel Peace prize winners in Hiroshima beginning next week.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. He says he is not seeking independence for Tibet, just greater autonomy. China considers him a separatist.
Some information for this report was provided by DalaiLama.com