UPDATE: Sonoma residents Linda Shore and David Barker are making waves in education as they revolutionize Tibetan Buddhist monasteries with modern science, bringing hands-on learning to the heart of the Himalayas. Just announced, their innovative project has been running for 16 years, impacting countless monks and nuns across northern India.
Their unique approach includes transporting low-cost, Exploratorium-style exhibits to monasteries, enabling monastics to teach complex subjects like cosmology and quantum science through practical demonstrations. This initiative not only enhances the educational experience but resonates deeply with traditional learning styles, making science accessible and engaging.
Shore and Barker first ventured to India in 2009 and have returned approximately every two years to conduct workshops and distribute teaching materials. Their efforts stem from a 1999 directive by the Dalai Lama, who called for the integration of modern science into monastic education. The program has evolved significantly, now including the Sager Science Leadership Institute, which trains monastic leaders to facilitate science education effectively.
The couple has made about a dozen trips in total, collaborating with organizations like the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives and various Western university faculty members. Their exhibitions, often featuring traditional Tibetan thangka art, have toured extensively, bridging cultural gaps and enriching the educational landscape.
As reported by the Sonoma Valley Sun, one of their standout exhibitions, “World of Your Senses,” merges Buddhist insights on perception with Western scientific principles. This unique blend has garnered attention and support, showcasing how education can transcend borders.
In a recent workshop series marking a 25th-anniversary milestone in April 2025, the initiative expanded to include leadership training specifically for nuns, further diversifying the program’s impact. Their ongoing collaborations with Western partners are seen as pivotal to this growth, as they continue to develop local science centers and long-distance learning programs for both monastics and lay learners.
As they remain active in their Sonoma community, Shore and Barker are also looking to publish a coffee-table book documenting their journey, hoping to inspire a wider audience with their transformative work. Their local art initiatives continue to thrive, with Barker’s exhibits featured in the Sonoma Valley Regional Library and Shore recognized for her contributions to astronomy education.
Supporters of the project emphasize its dual impact: enhancing both the educational frameworks in Sonoma and the monastic settings in the Himalayas. The ongoing success of this initiative highlights the power of cultural exchange and hands-on inquiry, proving that education knows no boundaries.
As this transformative project continues to grow, the global community watches closely, eager to see how science education can further enrich the lives of monastics and influence local classrooms alike. Stay tuned for more updates as Shore and Barker continue their important work across continents.
