AI Needs Wisdom, Not Only Intelligence
Why intelligence without orientation is the defining risk of the decade — and what wisdom can offer the architects of artificial minds.
A Global Future-Civilization Dialogue · Phase I
When technology begins to redefine life, how will humanity understand mind, consciousness, and death?
The 7th Woodenfish International Forum on Buddhism, Science and the Future brings together Buddhist teachers, AI researchers, biotechnologists, neuroscientists, ethicists and consciousness scholars to explore the deepest questions of our future civilization.
As AI, biotechnology, brain–computer interfaces, organ transplantation, cryopreservation and longevity science accelerate, we are not only facing technological breakthroughs — we are being asked to rethink life, death, consciousness, and the meaning of being human. This is not merely a forum. It is one of the most important global conversations about the future of humanity.
01.Why IBSTA, Why Now
Technology is redefining humanity faster than humanity can understand itself.
Biotechnology is reshaping life and death. Artificial intelligence is transforming meaning, attention, and human identity. Brain-computer interfaces, neurotechnology, and digital systems are beginning to redefine what it means to think, remember, and even exist. Yet while technology accelerates exponentially, humanity's ethical, spiritual, and civilizational frameworks struggle to keep pace. The world no longer needs technological progress alone. It needs a deeper dialogue between wisdom, science, ethics, and the future of humanity itself.
01
Acceleration without wisdom
Technology now evolves faster than humanity's shared capacity for ethical reflection, meaning, and responsibility.
02
The redefinition of life
AI, biotechnology, longevity research, and neurotechnology are reshaping humanity's understanding of consciousness, identity, and death itself.
03
A crisis of meaning
As anxiety, loneliness, and moral fragmentation rise globally, humanity faces not only a technological crisis — but a crisis of meaning and direction.
02.The Mission of IBSTA (International Buddhism, Science and Technology Alliance)
A Global Platform Connecting Buddhist Wisdom, Science & Technology, and the Future of Human Civilization
In an age of rapid advances in AI, biotechnology and consciousness research, IBSTA is building a global platform of dialogue across religion, science, technology and the humanities — exploring the deepest questions of life, mind, ethics and humanity's future.
IBSTA was born of a profound and urgent calling of our time. As artificial intelligence, biotechnology, neuroscience and digital civilization rapidly reshape the world, humanity needs more than technological progress — it needs wisdom, ethics, compassion and a deeper understanding of life itself. We believe the cosmic truths and living wisdom revealed by the Buddhadharma are not opposed to modern science. They can enter into dialogue with scientific inquiry and technological innovation, offering a more complete direction for the civilization to come. IBSTA exists for this purpose. We are building a global interdisciplinary platform connecting Buddhism, science, AI, medicine, education, health, ethics and the humanities — advancing dialogue, research, education, practice and innovation, so that technology never loses its humanity and wisdom truly benefits the world.
03.Founding Spirit
A Platform Co-Created for the Future
IBSTA is not a finished answer. It is a shared exploration of humanity's future. Venerable Yifa has invited Mr. Jerry Lin to serve as co-founder of IBSTA, planning its next chapters together — and warmly invites friends from every field to join the conversation across many platforms, sparking interdisciplinary creativity and new possibilities. Great towers rise from level ground. Step by step, IBSTA is exploring how Buddhist wisdom, scientific inquiry and technological innovation can truly serve the world together. We welcome the voices, feedback and companionship of all who wish to help build a wiser and more compassionate human future.
Global Dialogue
Global Wisdom Dialogue
Deep cross-disciplinary dialogue among Buddhism, AI, science, biotechnology, ethics and the humanities — answering the defining questions of our shared future.
Research & Exploration
Interdisciplinary Research & Inquiry
International collaboration across consciousness, life sciences, AI, neuroscience, ethics, mortality and the future of humanity — exploring how technology and wisdom can serve life together.
Compassionate Action
Practice & Human Flourishing
With compassion and wisdom at the core, advancing mind-body health, education, ethical technology and global cooperation — so Buddhist wisdom enters everyday life and the society yet to come.
“Technology without wisdom loses its direction; wisdom that cannot enter the contemporary world cannot truly benefit beings.”
— IBSTA Founding Vision
04.Global Dialogue Initiators
A Global Voice for Wisdom and Humanity
A long-term global dialogue on humanity's future, guided by collaborators across wisdom, science, and technology.
Venerable Dr. Yifa
Founder of the Woodenfish Foundation, Yale PhD, and internationally recognized Buddhist scholar dedicated to bridging Buddhist wisdom, science, ethics, and humanity's future. For decades, Venerable Dr. Yifa has quietly fostered global dialogue between Eastern wisdom traditions and contemporary scientific, philosophical, and humanitarian thought. Through international academic collaboration and the "Buddhism, Science and Future" forums, she continues to encourage deeper reflection on consciousness, life, technology, compassion, ethics, and the future direction of human civilization. Her contributions to interfaith understanding, peace, and global dialogue have been internationally recognized through honors including:
World-Class International Honors
- United Nations Outstanding Women in Buddhism Award
- Juliet Hollister Award
05.Global Dialogue Collaboration
Jerry Lin
Co-Advocate of IBSTA
Invited by Venerable Yifa to support the long-term development of IBSTA, Jerry Lin focuses on helping connect wisdom, technology, AI, and future-oriented global collaboration. He believes that the true value of technology should ultimately serve humanity through wisdom, ethics, compassion, and meaningful global cooperation.
Jerry Lin · Co-Advocate of IBSTA
A quiet conviction that technology, at its best, serves wisdom and compassion.
IBSTA seeks to gradually evolve into a long-term global platform connecting wisdom, science, technology, ethics, and humanity's future.
06.Why Now
Why IBSTA Matters Now
01
AI is reshaping human life at extraordinary speed — yet are we truly prepared for the ethical and civilizational questions it raises?
02
As technology begins to redefine life, consciousness and death, can Buddhist wisdom and science together explore deeper answers?
03
In an age of anxiety, loneliness and lost meaning, must humanity once again ask: what is true wisdom, and what is true well-being?
"The bridge of the future is built with both technology and compassion."
— Venerable Yifa, Founder & Director, Woodenfish Foundation
07.Phase I Milestone
The June International Forum — Foundation of a Cross-Generational Global Dialogue
Organized by Woodenfish Foundation · Co-advocated with IBSTA
Hosted by the Woodenfish Foundation (USA), founded by Venerable Yifa, and co-advocated with IBSTA, this forum aspires to build a long-term global platform where Buddhist wisdom, scientific inquiry and technological innovation can together respond to the human challenges of the AI and frontier-biotech era. It is not an event — it is the starting point of an enduring civilization-level conversation on life, consciousness, ethics and humanity's future.
Organizer
Woodenfish Foundation (USA)
國際木魚計劃協會
Founder & Director: Venerable Yifa
08.The Question of Our Time
Why this forum matters now
01
AI is reshaping the world at unprecedented speed
But is human wisdom growing in step? As machines become more capable, what should the word "wisdom" come to mean?
02
Life and death are being redefined by technology
As brain death, organ transplantation, cryopreservation, brain–computer interfaces and regenerative medicine accelerate, we must ask again: What is life? What is death? What is consciousness?
03
A global vacuum of meaning is spreading
Anxiety, loneliness, loss of meaning, runaway technology and ethical drift have become a shared, cross-generational condition.
04
Humanity needs a new global dialogue
One where Buddhist wisdom, science and technology together explore what is to come. This is the conversation IBSTA wants to open.
09.Forum Themes
Core themes of the dialogue
Ten threshold questions across religion, science and technology, taken seriously together at the June International Forum.
01
AI & Human Wisdom
02
Life, Death & the Definition of Brain Death
03
Consciousness & Rebirth
04
Organ Transplantation & Ethics
05
Cryonics & Longevity Science
06
Brain–Computer Interfaces & Memory
07
Buddhism & Future Civilization
08
Biotechnology & Human Nature
09
Consciousness & Humanity
10
Ethics in the Age of AI
11.Stakeholder Gateway
Where do you belong in this dialogue?
Eight pathways. One civilization-level conversation. Choose how you participate.
01
Buddhist Leaders & Organizations
Bring Buddhist Wisdom into the Future of Human Civilization
Place contemplative traditions in conversation with science, AI and humanity’s most urgent questions.
02
Scientists & Researchers
Explore Consciousness, Ethics, Life, and Human Wisdom
Co-investigate the questions at the edge of neuroscience, physics and contemplative inquiry.
03
AI & Technology Innovators
AI Needs Wisdom, Not Only Intelligence
Build systems aligned with human flourishing, ethical depth and long-horizon responsibility.
04
Healthcare, Wellness & Holistic Health
From Healing the Body to Healing the Whole Human Being
Integrate clinical excellence, mental health, and contemplative practice for whole-person care.
05
Enterprises & ESG Leaders
Shape a Wiser and More Compassionate Future
Lead the next era of business — measured not only by performance, but by wisdom and consequence.
06
Conscious Living Brands & Vendors
Become Part of a Trusted Conscious Living Ecosystem
Plant-based dining, holistic wellness, mindful products and retreat experiences gain global visibility, trust and ecosystem access.
07
Youth, Students & Future Leaders
How Can Humanity Remain Human in the AI Era?
Equip the next generation with the wisdom, ethics and courage the future will ask of them.
08
Media & Cultural Partners
Share One of the Most Important Conversations of Our Time
Help carry civilization-level dialogue to the audiences who need to be part of it.
12.The IBSTA Ecosystem Model
Eight strengths. One luminous network.
IBSTA is designed as a multi-stakeholder platform where different communities contribute their strengths, receive meaningful value, and co-create long-term impact together.
Humanity
Buddhist Wisdom
Science & Research
AI & Technology
Health & Wellness
Education & Youth
Enterprise & ESG
Conscious Living
Media & Dialogue
10.World-Class Voices
A dialogue across religion, science and technology
International scholars and thinkers from Harvard, MIT, and the fields of neuroscience, biotechnology, Buddhist studies, AI, medicine and ethics will take part in this rare conversation about humanity's future.
HarvardMITNeuroscienceBiotechBuddhist StudiesAIMedicineEthics
15.Founding Attendees & Supporting Organizations
A founding circle of institutions
Based on the initial IBSTA launch declaration and early supporting participants.
Woodside Foundation
Global Ethics Council
Consciousness Research Institute
Dhamma Tech Alliance
Buddhist Studies Network
Center for Wisdom-AI
Civilization Forum
Compassion in Medicine
Future Humanity Lab
Asia-Pacific Sangha
International Mindful Society
Conscious Living Coalition
A continuously growing global circle of universities, monasteries, research institutes, technology partners and civil society leaders.
Founding Declaration
Founding Attendees & Early Supporting Participants
IBSTA 啟動宣言簽署與會者
IBSTA was founded through the shared vision of a cross-disciplinary circle drawn from Buddhism, science, technology, education, health, culture and society. The names below appear in the early signed records of the IBSTA Founding Declaration — marking the formal beginning of a human-future dialogue across Dharma, science and technology.
Founding Archive
- 01
依法法師 Venerable Yifa
Founder & Director, Woodenfish Foundation 國際木魚計劃協會
- 02
Jerry Lin 林祥傳
Senior Advisor, EBRD · CEO, WiseConnect · Founder, ACC / AI 3.0 Connective Core
- 03
蓮花基金會
Lotus Foundation
- 04
僧伽醫護基金會
Sangha Medical Care Foundation
- 05
譯道協
Translation Path Association
- 06
中華本土社會科學會
Chinese Indigenous Social Sciences Association
- 07
中華生命電磁科學學會
Chinese Bio-Electromagnetic Science Society
- 08
歐盟中國委員會
EU–China Committee
- 09
台北市生物產業協會
Taipei Bio-Industry Association
- 10
中華中道領導文化總會
Chinese Middle-Way Leadership Culture Association
- 11
宏法法師
Venerable Hongfa
- 12
和氣大愛（周瑞宏）
Heqi Da-Ai · Chou Jui-Hung
- 13
何日生
Ho Jih-Sheng
- 14
MindTech（蘇心庭）
MindTech · Su Hsin-Ting
- 15
安世代全球華人
An-Generation Global Chinese
- 16
百家姓祭祖平台
Hundred Surnames Ancestral Platform
- 17
鄒一寬
Tsou Yi-Kuan
- 18
李明殷
Li Ming-Yin
- 19
婁瑞芬
Lou Jui-Fen
- 20
大同世界經濟共享
Datong World Economic Sharing
- 21
戶互通共享（吳小玲）
Hu-Hu-Tong Sharing · Wu Hsiao-Ling
- 22
般若文化研究學會
Prajna Culture Research Association
- 23
秋浪
Qiu Lang
- 24
性銓法師（小學堂）
Venerable Xingquan · Xiao Xue Tang
- 25
財團法人佛陀教育基金會
The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation
- 26
釋密寶
Venerable Shi Mibao
- 27
惟慈法師
Venerable Weici
- 28
悲智禪寺
Beizhi Chan Monastery
- 29
釋玄宏
Venerable Shi Xuanhong
- 30
祥龍
Xiang Long
- 31
華梵大學
Huafan University
- 32
釋見聞
Venerable Shi Jianwen
- 33
善果餐飲
Shanguo Cuisine
- 34
韓善淇
Han Shan-Chi
- 35
心靈世界
Mind & Spirit World
- 36
陳啟祥
Chen Chi-Hsiang
- 37
恆喜
Heng Xi
- 38
小蜜蜂儒覺
Xiao Mi Feng Ru Jue
- 39
熊瀛松
Hsiung Ying-Sung
- 40
釋弘淨
Venerable Shi Hongjing
- 41
佛光兄長江
Foguang Brother Chang Chiang
- 42
圓慈暉
Yuan Cihui
- 43
慧燦
Hui Can
- 44
慧曦
Hui Xi
- 45
Amitabha Buddha
阿彌陀佛 · In dedication
Note: This list is compiled from the currently available signed IBSTA Declaration documents and represents early attendees and supporting participants. Official memberships and ecosystem partnerships will continue to expand and evolve.
13.Join IBSTA
Begin your participation
Choose the pathway that fits your role. Our secretariat will respond personally within five working days.
Founding / Current Member+
Academic / Research Partner+
AI / Technology Partner+
Buddhist Organization+
Supporting Vendor+
Enterprise / ESG Partner+
Youth / Volunteer+
Media Partner+
14.Thought Leadership
Read all essaysCivilization Insights
Buddhism and the Future of Consciousness
How twenty-five centuries of contemplative inquiry meet contemporary neuroscience at the threshold of a new science of mind.
Life, Death, and Biotechnology
Genomics and longevity are rewriting the contract of being human. Ancient wisdom returns the conversation to meaning.
Human Meaning in the AI Era
When machines can speak, write and reason, what remains uniquely, irreducibly human? The answer is older than software.
Compassionate Technology
Designing systems that reduce suffering and expand human flourishing — a new brief for builders of the next platforms.
From Forum to Civilization Platform
How a single international forum becomes the seed of a durable global infrastructure for wisdom-led civilization.
Join one of the most important conversations shaping humanity's future
If you believe that humanity's future needs not only technology, but wisdom, compassion and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human — IBSTA warmly invites you to take part.