Renouned scholars and thought leaders served as panelists. / Handout

In the summer, the University of Houston is quiet, its walkways nearly empty except for the occasional hum of construction and the pitter-patter of rain. But for three days, a corner of the campus pulsed with dharmic energy, becoming a beacon that attracted hundreds of students, scholars, and community members.

The University of Houston Student Center hosted the third annual Dharma in the Digital Age (DDA) conference, organized by the Dharma Civilization Foundation (DCF USA).

Professors, monks, scientists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders explored topics ranging from artificial intelligence and climate change to the timeless principles of dharma.

Drawing on ancient Sanskrit shlokas and Hindu scriptures, speakers demonstrated how centuries-old wisdom can still provide practical guidance for modern living.

“The idea behind it is to bring these two apparently disparate things together,” said Srikanth Palkar, president of DCF. “What has technology got to do with dharma? And the first thing we wanted to show was that definitely they have a lot to do with each other, because they are both for the growth and sustenance of mankind.”

People moved between the Student Center's auditorium and breakout rooms as dozens of sessions unfolded simultaneously. Attendees could scarcely be in one place without wondering what fascinating discussion they were missing next door.

“I was very impressed with the intellectual capacity of people that came here,” said Sashi Mandapaty, CEO of Synapsys Global Inc. “For people of that caliber, I would pay to go listen to them, and here they were mingling with everyone. There were three Padma Shri winners.”

The three Padma Shri awardees who attended were R. V. Hosur, a scientist in NMR spectroscopy and structural biology; Subhash Kak, scientist, historian, and Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University; and Anil Rajvanshi, a renowned inventor, engineer, and spiritualist. Rajvanshi is director of the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and author of essays on spirituality.

Photos from the event / Handout

Mandapaty said he noted a shared desire to do good for the world as a whole, not just for India or the South Asian community, using universal principles such as harmony with nature and inclusion. The gathering also created connections across the U.S., India, Europe, and beyond.

On AI, he remains "bullish," acknowledging legitimate concerns while highlighting AI's potential to expand access to health care, democratize education, and serve as a force for good if guided responsibly.

Reframing the conversation

Aadit Kapadia, a young entrepreneur and host of the Mindmakers podcast, spoke on a panel titled "Across Generations."

Joining him were Sampadananda Mishra, director of the Centre for Human Sciences at Rishihood University; Swami Chidanandpuri, a Vedantic monk and scholar; and Viswajith Malampati, a digital political communications professional and national president of Hindu YUVA.

"Talking with students reframed the questions," Kapadia said. "Maybe we've been framing these conversations the way we were raised, but the next generation approaches them differently. We need to rethink how we communicate dharma in today's world."

Kapadia, himself a UH alumnus, said younger participants challenged traditional ways of thinking about faith.

“I have never had to explain what Hinduism is in my school, but they've had to do it on a weekly basis, and that struck me,” he said. “I grew up in India, and I never had to explain why we're taking off for Diwali.”

Kapadia said he advised students to avoid becoming defensive or argumentative when their beliefs are challenged. Instead, he encouraged them to look for common ground and understand the other person's perspective before trying to persuade them.

"So many times we're so attached to our own views that when someone has an opposing opinion, our first instinct is to respond aggressively," he said. "Find common ground first. Understand where they're coming from and then have the conversation. Without that context, you're never going to convince anyone."

Vedant Yadav, 17, a Tejas participant and student at Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland, said:

“I asked for my own daily use, how to better convey my ideas and like deal with people who have opposing ideas or like negative ideas, how to deal with those people.”

(The Tejas Initiative is a national youth, educational, and creative program hosted by the DCF.)

Kalika Uttarkar, educator and moderator of the "Across Generations" panel, said the lives of today's children are very different from their parents' and grandparents'.

She said society is in a period of transition, with traditional structures evolving and new ones still taking shape, making it essential to find new ways of communicating dharma. Uttarkar said she was encouraged by the enthusiasm of younger participants, who actively questioned the panelists throughout the session.

"The moment the younger generation gets excited, motivated and inspired to ask questions, the process of knowledge continues," she said. "That, to me, was very encouraging."

Another panel, "Education: Learning Beyond Data," explored how education must evolve in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Panelists included Bhimraya Metri, Neerja Gupta, Shirin Kulkarni, and Vishal Ahuja, with Ashish Pandey serving as moderator.

Psychologist and educator Shirin Kulkarni, who has lived in Finland for 20 years and heads the Council for Creative Education, said AI has made it crucial for schools to focus on creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning rather than simply memorizing information.

Kulkarni, who hails from Nashik, said Finland's education system has attracted many Indian families because of its emphasis on experiential learning, vocational education, and teaching children through projects and practical activities. She argued that while AI can process information, it cannot replace the creativity, imagination, and human skills that students need to develop.

Sustainability and environmental stewardship

Another panel explored the theme "Sustainability: From Exploitation to Equilibrium," examining how ancient Hindu principles can inform modern approaches to environmental stewardship. Moderated by Sashi Mandapaty, the discussion featured Arizona State University professor Bhavik Bakshi, sustainability strategist Padmini Ranganathan, scientist and Gita scholar Vikram Pattarkine, and environmentalist Sailesh Rao.

Panelists discussed the need to move beyond extractive models of development toward systems that promote harmony between people and the natural world.

Professor Bakshi described the Holocene as a period of environmental stability, a "Goldilocks zone" in which conditions were ideally suited for life to thrive. Human activity has pushed the planet beyond that natural equilibrium, he said.

“Sustainability is not about the planet, it's about our well-being,” he said. “Now for future generations, that Holocene period, where we have thrived, can we stay there for longer? Because once we are out, all bets are off.”

“Nature is very balanced,” said Pattarkine. “If it is too hot, then it will rain. If the rain is too much, then it will flow to the soil. Before we consume something from nature, we should contribute something.”

Mandapaty referred to the Infinity Shanti Mantra from the Ishavasya Upanishad.

"What it basically says is that we are all inherently complete," he said. "Only when I'm incomplete do I need to complete myself. And how do I complete myself? By acquiring something. How do I acquire? By stealing, begging, borrowing? And I hoard because I have this wrong impression that I'm incomplete and you are more complete than me. Now I need to compete with you."

Mandapaty said this sense of incompleteness fuels behaviors rooted in acquisition and exploitation, whether of other people, natural resources, or economic systems. True sustainability requires balance among environmental, economic, and social dimensions.

Padma Shri awardee Subhash Kak, one of the keynote speakers, offered a sweeping reflection on artificial intelligence, consciousness, and the future of humanity. Kak said the distinction between Western and Indian approaches lay in their understanding of consciousness. Modern science treats consciousness as a product of the brain, but the Vedic tradition regards it as a fundamental reality that both permeates and transcends the physical world.

AI will eventually perform much of the work, from transportation and teaching to intellectual tasks, he said. Rather than viewing this only as a threat, he described it as a challenge for people to move beyond mechanical habits and discover the creativity, intuition, and self-awareness that make them truly human. He cautioned writers and thinkers against simply allowing AI to produce their work, arguing that genuine discovery comes through humility, deep reflection, and the ability to "let go" of the ego.

He also predicted that declining birth rates and automation would dramatically reshape the global economy, politics, and social institutions, while placing India in an increasingly influential position. According to Kak, India's intellectual traditions, with their emphasis on consciousness, interconnectedness, and inner development, could provide valuable guidance as societies confront the disruption caused by AI.

Despite his warnings, Kak ended on an optimistic note. He said the digital age could lead to scientific breakthroughs, greater compassion among humans, and a deeper recognition of humanity's connection with all sentient life. The future, he argued, will belong to those who combine technological knowledge with the courage to look inward and draw upon Dharmic wisdom.

Discover more at New India Abroad.