Iiteresting to see the Dalai Lama (unwittingly) described as "medieval"! He was born in "medieval surroundings", quite literally, to a peasant family who still plowed their fields by walking behind their cattle. ANd he grew up in a pre-technological society, always captivated by the few intriguing trinkets of Western technology his predecessor had left behind -- a telescope, a watch, a movie projecter, a car. But he was educated only as a traditional Buddhist monk, until his exile in 1959.

Since then, he has earned worldwide recognition not only as a spiritual leader for the whole planet, but as avid student of science and renowned scholar. He has studied extensively and developed close friendships with the creme de la creme of Western science -- ie David Bohm, George Thomson, Carl von Weizsacker etc etc. And he is currently working with the planet's top neuroscientists in an ongoing empirical investigation into the effects of Buddhist style meditation on the human brain. The results have been surprising, significant and promising to date.

More info here --- The Mind and Life Institute

"With the ever growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two. Each gives us valuable insights into the other. Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental unity of all things."

-- The Dalai Lama

Better late than never for the Western scientific community, religious fundamentalists, and the rest of humanity to lend him a respectful ear.