Why has the 14th Dalai Lama said that Buddhist beliefs should change if science disproves them?

The 14th Dalai Lama maintains that Buddhism and science share a fundamental commitment to the search for truth and the understanding of reality. Because both disciplines seek to comprehend the nature of existence, he believes they are not contradictory and can offer one another valuable insights.12

He has stated that if scientific evidence were to disprove a specific Buddhist belief, then Buddhism must be willing to change. By remaining open to scientific findings, he argues that Buddhism can enrich its own worldview, particularly in areas where scientific understanding may be more advanced. This perspective reflects his broader analytical approach to reconciling religion and spirituality with modern scientific inquiry.1