What can Buddhism do for the environment?

Buddhism and environmentalism are a natural fit. Jessica Morey points this out in her review of Susan Murphy’s new book, Minding the Earth: Mending the World,

Sam Littlefair
29 October 2014
Gregory Palmer Lotus Dragonfly Buddhism Environment Lion's Roar Shambhala Sun Buddhadharma
Photo by Gregory Palmer.

Buddhism and environmentalism are a natural fit. Jessica Morey points this out in her review of Susan Murphy’s new book, Minding the Earth: Mending the World, about how dharma can help us protect the planet. Read the review in full, here.

The ideas described by Murphy also came up last week on the PBS program Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, in a 7-minute segment on how China is embracing Buddhism and environmentalism. The documentary journeys from the office of a Buddhist environmental reporter in Beijing to the home of an environmentally-conscious monk, near Tibet – reporting on a cultural shift throughout. Watch the video, below.

Maybe this means that Buddhist environmentalism is gaining traction – however, the ideas are not new. Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a book called The World We Have, about bringing environmental awareness into your practice. Read an excerpt, published in the Shambhala Sun, here. In Buddhadharma, David Loy and John Stanley entreated Buddhist leaders to convene and agree on a response to the environmental crisis. Read their article, Can Buddhism Save the Planet?.

Sam Littlefair

Sam Littlefair

Sam Littlefair is the former editor of LionsRoar.com. He has also written for The Coast, Mindful, and Atlantic Books Today. Find him on Twitter, @samlfair, and Facebook, @samlfair.