Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis

by David Loy

Overview

How can we respond urgently and effectively to the ecological crisis—and stay sane doing it?

This landmark work is simultaneously a manifesto, a blueprint, a call to action, and a deep comfort for troubling times. David R. Loy masterfully lays out the principles and perspectives of Ecodharma—a Buddhist response to our ecological predicament, introducing a new term for a new development of the Buddhist tradition.

This book emphasizes the three aspects of Ecodharma:

• practicing in the natural world,
• exploring the ecological implications of Buddhist teachings,
• and embodying that understanding in the eco-activism that is needed today.

Within these pages, you’ll discover the powerful ways Buddhism can inspire us to heal the world we share. Offering a compelling framework and practical spiritual resources, Loy outlines the Ecosattva Path, a path of liberation and salvation for all beings and the world itself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781614293828
Publisher:	Wisdom Publications MA
Publication date:	01/29/2019
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	945,685
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David R. Loy's books include the acclaimed Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution; The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory; The World Is Made of Stories; A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency; and The Dharma of Dragons and Daemons, a finalist for the 2006 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award. He was the Besl Professor of Ethics/Religion and Society at Cincinnati's Xavier University and is qualified as a teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition of Zen Buddhism.

His articles appear regularly in the pages of major journals such as Tikkun and Buddhist magazines including Tricycle, Turning Wheel, Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma, as well as in a variety of scholarly journals. He is on the editorial or advisory boards of the journals Cultural Dynamics, Worldviews, Contemporary Buddhism, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, and World Fellowship of Buddhists Review. He is also on the advisory boards of Buddhist Global Relief, the Clear View Project, Zen Peacemakers, and the Ernest Becker Foundation. He lives in Boulder, CO

Table of Contents

Author's Note xi

Introduction: On a Precipice? 1

1 Is Climate Change the Problem? 19

2 Is the Eco-Crisis Also a Buddhist Crisis? 45

3 What Are We Overlooking? 77

4 Is It the Same Problem? 101

5 What If It's Too Late? 125

6 What Shall We Do? 151

Afterword: A Prodigal Species? 175

Appendices

1 The Time to Act Is Now: A Buddhist Declaration on Climate Change 181

2 Sixteen Core Dharma Principles to Address Climate Change 187

3 Getting Real about Climate Change: Simple and Practical Steps 191

4 The Ecosattva Vows 195

5 The Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center 197

Acknowledgments and Credits 199

Index 201

About the Author 219

Editorial Reviews

11/26/2018
Buddhist teacher Loy (A New Buddhist Path) provides a well-researched discourse on the concept of “ecodharma”—using Buddhist spiritual traditions to respond to worldwide ecological disaster. Loy explains that Buddhism’s principle of dukkha (individual suffering) and enlightenment may seem unrelated to a global eco-crisis, but he argues that Buddhists need to acknowledge the interdependence of environmental issues with social issues such as racism, classism, and neocolonialism. With urgency, he writes that human civilization is a collective dukkha that requires social transformation, and to that end, he encourages reducing consumption of animal products, thereby reducing the harmful effects of factory farming. He also advises that “walking the ecosattva path” involves breaking through institutional structures of economic greed, participating in social engagement, and committing oneself to the well-being of other people and other species. The book’s second section comprises appendices, descriptions of dharma principles, and advice on practical steps to address climate change, such as limiting the use of products and services connected to fossil fuels, refurbishing energy-inefficient houses, and taking part in demonstrations. Although a small part of the book includes discussion of specific traditions that will be too dense for non-Buddhists, Loy’s general advice will be useful to all readers. With an abundance of background and detailed explanations of teachings, Loy’s book will help Buddhist readers understand and address ecological devastation. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Ecodharma lays an invaluable foundation for Buddhist environmental analysis and activism. Anyone concerned about the future of sentient beings and living systems on this planet should read this book.”

Christopher Ives

A Best Spiritual Book of 2019—Spirituality & Practice

From the Publisher

David Loy is the most significant and inspiring advocate for the meeting of Eastern wisdom and Western social reform writing today. This book offers a timely and urgently needed voice, based on deep experience in the Zen tradition and on thorough scholarship—and is immensely readable and enjoyable too. A true guiding star in our firmament.”

Henry Shukman