The Charles H. Townes Memorial Lecture in Science and Religion honors the life and legacy of Professor Townes (1915-2015), who won the Noble Prize in Physics in 1981 for the development of laser technology and the Templeton Prize in 2005 for his work building bridges between science and spirituality.

When a sacred lake bursts into toxic flames, and the temple at its shore is charred, the resident goddess flees. Where can She go? How does Her story help Her devotees respond to environmental degradation?