Encyclopaedia of Buddhism: A World Faith, Volume 4: Buddhism and Environment

This volume presents a wide-ranging study of the relationship between Buddhism and environmental responsibility. Its chapters address the Buddhist understanding of nature, ecological equilibrium, trusteeship, the protection of forests and wildlife, human rights, population and poverty, pollution, consumerism, ecotourism, sustainable development, water resources, environmental education, and the interdependence of all life. Drawing upon Buddhist ethics, Indian philosophical traditions and contemporary environmental discourse, M. G. Chitkara argues that ecological sustainability depends upon both institutional action and the cultivation of compassion, moderation, contentment and individual responsibility. The appendices further extend the discussion through reflections on the Wheel of Life, the noosphere, environmental responsibility and ecological prayer.

Table of Contents

• Foreword

• Preface

• Appreciation

• Introduction

1. Buddhist Concept of Environment

2. Earth: A Common Heritage

3. Trusteeship Is Humanism Par Excellence

4. Trusteeship Heritage

5. Dalit, the Oppressed and Earth

6. Ecosystem in Its Equilibrium

7. Eco-Friendly System

8. Harmony with Nature

9. Nature and Nomadic Life

10. Equilibrium in Nature

11. Nature Our Mother

12. Safety Valve to Impending Ecocide

13. Concept in Legends and Folklore

14. Wildlife Conservation

15. Concept of Bodhi Tree and Forestation

16. Be Natural

17. Man, Environment and Global Concerns

18. Human Rights and Environment

19. Environment, Human Rights and Tibet

20. Reincarnation Theory

21. Desire: The Seed of Mind

22. Population, Poverty and Environment

23. Cold War Legacy

24. Environmental Catastrophe

25. Dilution: No Solution to Pollution

26. Panchsheel and Environment

27. Consumerism: Lead to Environmental Degradation

28. Eco-Tourism Is Eco-Development

29. Sustainable Development

30. Vision for Sustainable Water Future

31. Contentment, Not Consumerism

32. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Environment

33. Interdependence: Fundamental Law of Nature

34. Bring Child Face to Face with His Divinity

35. Environmental Education: Some Reflections

36. Loving Life and Fearing Death

37. Excel Excellence with Indian Ethos

38. Appraisal

Appendices

• Appendix I: The Wheel of Life and the Noosphere

• Appendix II: Environment

• Appendix III: Prayer - Ecological Responsibility

• Bibliography

• Index