Buddhism and Ecology: The Interconnection of Dharma and Deeds (Religions of the World and Ecology)

Buddhism Is A Tradition Which Has Cultivated A Profound Sense Of The Interconnection Of All Life-forms In Its Doctrine Of Dependent Origination. This Teaching Of Interrelatedness May Be A Critical Basis For The Recovery Of Human Reciprocity With Nature And With All Life-forms. This Volume Examines Buddhism's Understanding Of The Intricate Web Of Life. In Noting The Cultural Diversity Of Buddhism, It Highlights Aspects Of The Tradition Which May Be Helpful In Formulating An Effective Environmental Ethics. It Cites Examples From Both Asia And The United States Of Socially Engaged Buddhist Projects To Protect The Environment. Finally, The Volume Explores Some Of The Theoretical And Methodological Issues Involved In Such A Project. Elaborating Upon Topics Introduced At A Conference At The Harvard University Center For The Study Of World Religions, The Authors Analyze The Prospects And The Problems Of Using Buddhism As An Environmental Resource In Both Theory And Practice.--jacket. Preface / Lawrence E. Sullivan -- Series Forward / Mary Evelyn Tucker And John Grim -- Introduction / Duncan Ryuken Williams -- Overview : Framing The Issues. Buddhism And Ecology : Collective Cultural Perceptions / Lewis Lancaster -- Theravada Buddhism And Ecology : The Case Of Thailand. The Hermeneutics Of Buddhist Ecology In Contemporary Thailand : Buddhadasa And Dhammapitaka / Donald K. Swearer -- A Theoretical Analysis Of The Potential Contribution Of The Monastic Community In Promoting A Green Society In Thailand / Leslie E. Sponsel And Poranee Natadecha-sponsel -- Mahayana Buddhism And Ecology : The Case Of Japan. The Jeweled Net Of Nature / Paul O. Ingram -- The Japanese Concept Of Nature In Relation To The Environmental Ethics And Conservation Aesthetics Of Aldo Leopold / Steve Odin -- Voices Of Mountains, Trees, And Rivers : Kukai, Dogen, And A Deeper Ecology / Graham Parkes -- Buddhism And Animals : India And Japan. Animals And Evironment In The Buddhist Birth Stories / Christopher Key Chapple -- Animal Liberation, Death, And The State : Rites To Release Animals In Medieval Japan / Duncan Ryuken Williams -- Zen Buddhism : Problems And Prospects. Mountains And Rivers And The Great Earth : Zen And Ecology / Ruben L. F. Habito -- The Precepts And The Environment / John Daido Loori -- (cont.) American Buddhism : Creating Ecological Communities. Great Earth Sangha : Gary Snyder's View Of Nature As Community / David Landis Barnhill -- American Buddhist Response To The Land : Ecological Practice At Two West Coast Retreat Centers / Stephanie Kaza -- The Greening Of Zen Mountain Center : A Case Study / Jeff Yamauchi -- Applications Of Buddhist Ecological Worldviews. Nuclear Ecology And Engaged Buddhism / Kenneth Kraft -- Buddhist Resources For Issues Of Population, Comsumption, And The Environment / Rita M. Gross -- Buddhism, Global Ethics, And The Earth Charter / Steven C. Rockfeller -- Theoretical And Methodological Issues In Buddhism And Ecology. Is There A Buddhist Philosophy Of Nature? / Malcolm David Eckel -- Green Buddhism And The Hierarchy Of Compassion / Alan Sponberg -- Buddhism And The Discourse Of Environmental Concern : Some Methodological Problems Considered / Ian Harris -- Bibliography On Buddhism And Ecology / Duncan Ryuken Williams. Edited By Mary Evelyn Tucker And Duncan Ryūken Williams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [403]-425) And Index.

given The Challenges Of The Environmental Crisis, Buddhism's Teaching Of The Interrelatedness Of All Life Forms May Be Critical To The Recovery Of Human Reciprocity With Nature. In This New Work, Twenty Religionists And Environmentalists Examine Buddhism's Understanding Of The Intricate Web Of Life. In Noting The Cultural Diversity Of Buddhism, They Highlight Aspects Of The Tradition Which May Help Formulate An Effective Environmental Ethics, Citing Examples From Both Asia And The United States Of Socially Engaged Buddhist Projects To Protect The Environment. The Authors Explore Theoretical And Methodological Issues And Analyze The Prospects And Problems Of Using Buddhism As An Environmental Resource In Both Theory And Practice. This Groundbreaking Volume Inaugurates A Larger Series Examining The Religions Of The World And Their Ecological Implications Which Will Shape A New Field Of Study Involving Religious Issues, Contemporary Environmental Ethics, And Public Policy Concerns.

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twenty Essays, Five Previously Published, Examine Buddhism's Understanding Of The Intricate Web Of Life Choosing From The Wide Cultural Diversity Of Adherents Those Aspects That Might Be Helpful In Formulating An Effective Environmental Ethics. Identifies Socially Engaged Projects To Protect The Environment In Asia And The Us, And Explores Some Of The Theoretical And Methodological Issues Relating To Such A Project. The Series Is An Outgrowth Of A Series Of Conferences At Harvard University, 1996-98. Paper Edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation C. By Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

In this book, 20 religionists and environmentalists examine Buddhism's understanding of life's web. In noting the cultural diversity of Buddhism, they highlight aspects of the tradition that may help formulate an effective environmental ethics, citing examples from Asia and the U.S. of socially engaged Buddhist projects to protect the environment.