[EcoDharma] Living Earth

[Doshin]

Metta to all the other living beings

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...lisation-video

[Jundo]

I just posted this comment to Brad Warner's latest talk saying that Buddhists had best not be concerned about such issues as Buddhists ...

Just so folks know, not all Buddhists need agree with Brad. Our concern for this planet, for society and our fellow human beings can be informed by the Precepts, Zazen and all our Buddhist Practice, and it is fine for Buddhist folks to approach such issues as part of our Practice. Brad expresses but one view. It does not have to be so for everyone even if he may prefer to use bandwidth to express his personal opinion that Buddhists should not be involved in social issues as Buddhists (itself a political statement by Brad as a Buddhist no matter how one disguises it, because most people don't come here because of his views on bass guitars). So, to each their own. Some are free to choose to talk about monster movies instead. To pick weeds in the garden or clean our bowls can be Zen Practice when known as such, as can picking the weeds of problems in this world and cleaning the environment. Not all Buddhists need agree on what is the right course or whom to vote for, but do not forget that choosing not to act is also an act with effects. By the way, one vote cannot change anything ... except if you are from Florida, when I am from, when a couple of hundred votes can sometimes change everything. No less, it is also a basic Buddhist teaching that a mountain can be moved one grain at a time. Gassho, Jundo


A video for good Buddhist folks and everyone to watch. If we take care of the temples made of wood, we can take care of the temple which is our world.


The 2018 Living Planet report from the WWF has found that a shocking 60% of the earth's mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been lost since 1970. The findings have led the world’s foremost experts to warn that the annihilation of wildlife is now an emergency that threatens civilisation.
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...lisation-video



We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe, warns UN
Urgent changes needed to cut risk of extreme heat, drought, floods and poverty, says IPCC
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...mark-un-report

Gassho, J

STLah

[Doshin]

I just posted this comment to Brad Warner's latest talk saying that Buddhists had best not be concerned about such issues as Buddhists ...



Gassho, J

STLah

As you said Jundo, we need this perspective from all

As Gus Speth has said, and resonates with my career...

“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”

[Meitou]

As you said Jundo, we need this perspective from all

As Gus Speth has said, and resonates with my career...

“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”

And this is where we can start, by addressing our own selfishness, greed and apathy and start making changes, a step at a time. I think we need to have faith that even the smallest things can add up and make a difference. From an interest in the Japanese tradition of boro - patchwork mending of clothes - I've suddenly become aware of so many good people on Instagram who are dedicating themselves not only to upcycling and repurposing, but are also inspiring and encouraging others to do the same, not in huge projects but in simple everyday things like visibly mending clothes instead of throwing them away, and in doing so highlighting the terrible damage and waste that goes on in the fashion industry, something I was unaware of. At the same time they sing out what they do as a joyful creative activity available to everyone.
I'm not using FB at the moment because of Ango, but I've decided that when I start again, I'm going to photograph my attempts at living a more sustainable less consumer driven life. As you say, people do respond to pretty pictures, so maybe they can be used to subtly inform as well as entertain. It's a small step, but as we know, small steps can take us a long way.
Don't give up!
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday

[Nanrin]

And this is where we can start, by addressing our own selfishness, greed and apathy and start making changes, a step at a time. I think we need to have faith that even the smallest things can add up and make a difference. From an interest in the Japanese tradition of boro - patchwork mending of clothes - I've suddenly become aware of so many good people on Instagram who are dedicating themselves not only to upcycling and repurposing, but are also inspiring and encouraging others to do the same, not in huge projects but in simple everyday things like visibly mending clothes instead of throwing them away, and in doing so highlighting the terrible damage and waste that goes on in the fashion industry, something I was unaware of. At the same time they sing out what they do as a joyful creative activity available to everyone.
I'm not using FB at the moment because of Ango, but I've decided that when I start again, I'm going to photograph my attempts at living a more sustainable less consumer driven life. As you say, people do respond to pretty pictures, so maybe they can be used to subtly inform as well as entertain. It's a small step, but as we know, small steps can take us a long way.
Don't give up!
Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday

Thank you for your comment Meitou. I agree that we can all start by looking at ourselves and reducing greed and selfishness. It can be hard to see our own greed at times because society usually teaches us it's ok to waste, it's ok consume a lot in many, many ways. The truth is we don't need much to live happily.

I like the idea of using Facebook or other platforms to beautify sustainable living. I might start posting on Facebook for that reason. I don't really have much to say about myself to the public so I only post a few times a year. Usually my pictures are shared with individual friends and family members I talk to. Perhaps it's time to change that to help influence others.

Gassho,

Maitri

St

[Doshin]

Yes Meitou, as you say we can make a difference if each of us takes steps in the right direction. As several Sangha members who follow me on FB know, I mainly post conservation stories and pictures of wildlife (all with the intent to inform and inspire appreciation for the natural world). The big steps need to be taken by governments, which some are doing, others not so much. That is where my interest in Engaged Buddhism comes in as Jundo addressed above.

I have not given up even after 50 plus years of effort in both my career and personal life (some would say I have no life outside of conservation/environment, I am okay with that). Let me paraprhase (even if I get the facts wrong with my foggy memory) a Buddhist monk who made the trek out of Tibet after the Chinese invaded the land. He was asked how he made such a long journey over the mountains..his response, "one step at a time". However, some of my friends and colleagues did loose hope along the way. My philosophy is you got to try even if the challenges seem insurmountable, the alternative has never been acceptable to me.

Gassho
Doshin
stlah

[Rob H]

As Gus Speth has said, and resonates with my career...

“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”

This, in my opinion, is the crux of many issues facing the world today. I completely agree with the above quote and it concerns me greatly. Not just for my children but for all people now and the future generations.

Gassho.
Rob.

ST

[Jundo]

As Gus Speth has said, and resonates with my career...

“I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.”

My new book, Zen of the Future!, will say what needs to be done.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Tairin]

Metta for our planet and for all that live on it. The crisis feels overwhelming but we can all do our part and it will take sacrifice on all our part.


Tairin
Sat today and lah and hugged a tree.

[serenewolf]

I have felt fairly overwhelmed and sad every time i hear the tragedies but seek hope and you can find it. Reading the positive stories from happyeconews and watching the live cams in africa give much hope. Seeing the areas in front of the cameras fill with elephants, giraffes, zebras, lionesses, okape or gazelle, birds and many others, or seeing the millions of monarchs during their migration gives hope. Also if we can make a difference, even a small one helps. During meditation we can also get a sense of peace around us which helps to quell the fear and give clarity.
Gassho
David
Sat

[Doshin]

Thank you Jundo for raising your voice on these issues. I posted on Face Book recently my sesnse of being out of sync with the world around me since the issues I believe critical to us all and the sustainability of life are seldom talked about on the news or by the politiicans whose role it is to help lead us. Nowhere during our election in the US did this arise that I saw.

Another thread on our forum discusses Face Book and how it relates to the Precepts That gave me pause last night. My posts are almost all about wildlife and conservation. I can post a picture of a beautiful lizard and been inundated with likes but when I post something about the topic I mentioned above the lack of comments or likes is deafening. The lack of response is the most troublesome to me. In fact it makes me consider deactivating FB so not be so affecteted. In my youth I would just speak louder but now I think silence is preferable.

Gassho
Doshin
St

[Shokai]

[Mp]

Thank you Doshin ... much metta and peace to this beautiful planet and all who share it.

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Kokuu]

A timely post, Doshin.

The environmental issues of our time seem so vast it is hard to know where to start but becoming informed is an important start. Humans have had a huge impact on the lives of other sentient beings and we really need to address the fact we are not the only organisms to inhabit this small blue planet but we are the ones who have the ability to slow or halt many impending extinctions.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Shoki]

Thanks Doshin for this info. I read this same thing on a news site a few days ago and immediately there were comments at the bottom saying it was all not true. There are always going to be a large segment of society that is going to shoot down something like this for business, political, etc. reasons. If you are let's say a plastics manufacturer, you better come up with something saying the plastic found in the stomachs of wildlife is not really true because blah, blah, blah. If you are an elected politician who gets votes promising less regulation on businesses responsible for this, you're going to downplay it. Some will say; it does not matter because God will take care of everything. It gets kind of discouraging.

Gassho/LAH
Sat Today
James

[Shinshi]

Thank you for sharing Doshin. And thank you Jundo for your reply to Brad. It is such a weird time in the world today. Much Strum and Drang about things of minor importance and total silence about critical issues.

Gassho, Shinshi

SaT-LaH

[Shoka]

My posts are almost all about wildlife and conservation. I can post a picture of a beautiful lizard and been inundated with likes but when I post something about the topic I mentioned above the lack of comments or likes is deafening. The lack of response is the most troublesome to me. In fact it makes me consider deactivating FB so not be so affecteted. In my youth I would just speak louder but now I think silence is preferable.

Doshin,

Thank you for the post.

I find that often when people don't feel there is anything they can saw to help, or positive to do that they don't want to interact. Which is why pretty photos of things get more likes and comments, than a thoughful post (without a picture) which might take time and thought to reply to.

But I believe there is a need to presist. If we say, "well no one replied, so I'm not going to post anymore." Then the topic doesn't get shared anymore. Often I hope that at least if I share something it might make someone think about it for a few minutes and maybe affect them somehow. I don't stand and yell on a soapbox anymore; just put it out there and hope that it makes a difference.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Washin]

Gassho,
Washin
ST

[Doshin]

A few months ago my wife and I traveled to see a premier of a documentary “Living in the Futures Past”. The movie is now avaialable via Itunes and probably other venues. I do not know if it can be viewed for free yet...I assume they are still working on recovering production cost. It takes a look at the challenges discussed here from a different perspective. A perspective my Sangha sisters and brothers can relate to. A trailer;



For those who have seen it or do I would appreciate your thoughts.

Gassho
Doshin
Stlah

[Jakuden]

Thank you Doshin I will watch it when I can, it looks really interesting.
Gassho
Jakuden
SatToday/LAH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tairin]

I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation. And we scientists don’t know how to do that.

This is a great quote.

My wife and I were talking about the environment etc a few weeks ago. We were talking about Trump and Premier Ford here in Ontario and their recent moves to undermine many of the protections previously put into place. That led to a discussion about what we as individuals can do. Frankly we (my wife and I) have done a lot to reduce our environmental footprint but it isn’t zero, there is likely a lot more we can do but that gets into a tricky place. How much does an individual give up? Yes every drop in the bucket helps but if you are the only one putting in drops then that bucket is going to take a long time to fill.

The fact is that the earth needs people to make radical changes to their lifestyles and although I like to think that most of my family and friends are sympathetic to the concerns of our environment I don’t believe many of them are willing to make sacrifices to their lifestyles and will find excuses as to why they can’t make changes.

As much as I hate to say it, I think it is going to need the situation to be far more critical before people start making real change.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Meitou]

As much as I hate to say it, I think it is going to need the situation to be far more critical before people start making real change.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

This is my fear too Tairin, in fact I think by the time people stop living in denial, wake up, and realise that they need to take action, it will be too late.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/lah

[Tairin]

Further to the discussion on reducing our impacts on the earth, this article appeared on CBC news site. While the target audience is Canadians I think the applicability is world wide.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/f...rint-1.4930062


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shokai]

and just when will "ZEN of the FUTURE!" be available in print?

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jundo]

and just when will "ZEN of the FUTURE!" be available in print?

gassho, Shokai
stlah

Kirk, who is a professional editor, is giving it a once over this week, and then I will talk to the publishers. It will be available .............. IN THE FUTURE!!

Gassho, J

STLah

[Shokai]

It's so sad, we've been spinning our wheels for over sixty years. We can all do some small bits but, it takes governments to do the big stuff and they can't seem to agree.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Doshin]

It's so sad, we've been spinning our wheels for over sixty years. We can all do some small bits but, it takes governments to do the big stuff and they can't seem to agree.

gassho, Shokai
stlah

Shokai your thoughts are part of my daily perspective. On the first Earth Day 50 years ago I raised my voice with hope. I was in the middle of an education to tackle those environmental problems. On Earth Day last month I acknowledge we have come a little ways but the journey ahead is still long. May Our species choose the right path.

Doshin
St

Doshin
St

[Doshin]

I stareted this thread with “bad” news about the state of biodiversity. As the year comes to an end I share something hopeful

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/swis...of-the-planet/

My New Years resolution...I vow to continue my efforts to save all sentient beings and encourage others. To ensure that I do include humans in this vow I also agreed to be a member of our very rural Volunteer Fire Department


Doshin
Stlah

[Doshin]

I am not sure if many visit this thread but I am persistent. It is my nature when it comes to biodiversity. Those Face Book and Instagram Friends know I seldom venture far from biodiversity. With that said I have ordered two new books that I want to share. First one that came out in January 2019 is by a teacher who sat with us a while back.

Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loy (January 2019) and Green Buddhism: Practices and Compassionate Activism in Uncertain Times by Stephanie Kaza (March 2019)

This is a major part of my path. So if anyone reads either of these books and would like to leave comments in this thread I would be delighted to learn your perspectives.

Doshin
st

[Washin]

I am not sure if many visit this thread but I am persistent. It is my nature when it comes to biodiversity. Those Face Book and Instagram Friends know I seldom venture far from biodiversity. With that said I have ordered two new books that I want to share. First one that came out in January 2019 is by a teacher who sat with us a while back.

Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loy (January 2019) and Green Buddhism: Practices and Compassionate Activism in Uncertain Times by Stephanie Kaza (March 2019)

This is a major part of my path. So if anyone reads either of these books and would like to leave comments in this thread I would be delighted to learn your perspectives.

Doshin
st

Thank you, Doshin. The books sound interesting and I'll have a look some later.

Gassho
Washin
ST

[Mp]

I am not sure if many visit this thread but I am persistent. It is my nature when it comes to biodiversity. Those Face Book and Instagram Friends know I seldom venture far from biodiversity. With that said I have ordered two new books that I want to share. First one that came out in January 2019 is by a teacher who sat with us a while back.

Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loy (January 2019) and Green Buddhism: Practices and Compassionate Activism in Uncertain Times by Stephanie Kaza (March 2019)

This is a major part of my path. So if anyone reads either of these books and would like to leave comments in this thread I would be delighted to learn your perspectives.

Doshin
st

Thank you Doshin. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Nengei]

Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loy (January 2019) and Green Buddhism: Practices and Compassionate Activism in Uncertain Times by Stephanie Kaza (March 2019)

This is a major part of my path. So if anyone reads either of these books and would like to leave comments in this thread I would be delighted to learn your perspectives.

Thank you, Doshin-san. This is right up my alley, so to speak. I am looking forward to reading these texts.

Gassho,
然芸 Nengei
Sat today. LAH.
You deserve to be happy.
You deserve to be loved.

[Shokai]

It will be available .............. IN THE FUTURE!!

haha

gassho,Shokai
stlah

[Seibu]

Thank you for sharing Doshin. I put both books on my wish list because I'm a big fan of Engaged Buddhism.

Gassho,
Jack
SatToday

[Jundo]

I am writing a new book called "Zen of the Future" ... about Zen in the future! Zen in a world of robots and AI, DNA splicing and virtual reality, nano tech and 3D printing, etc.

A chapter will be on Buddhist and Zen inspired economics, and part of that will be on ecology. I will be in touch to consult with you, Doshin, when I get to that part.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Heiso]

I'm very glad to find this thread. As I get increasingly more concerned about the environment it's easy to become overwhelmed so thank you for starting this.

Gassho,

Neil

ST

[Doshin]

599B7ADC-97DE-49A8-BFB8-793AA63C819A.jpeg

If the image is too small to read...

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold



My first teacher of Interdependence. His teachings began my path and continue to center me. He died 3 years before I was born and I became his student at the age of 19

Today is Earth Day. A time not only to reflect but for me to renew “my” engagement. “I” vow to save all sentient beings

[Mp]

599B7ADC-97DE-49A8-BFB8-793AA63C819A.jpeg

If the image is too small to read...

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold



My first teacher of Interdependence. His teachings began my path and continue to center me. He died 3 years before I was born and I became his student at the age of 19

Today is Earth Day. A time not only to reflect but engage. vow to save all sentient beings

Thank you Doshin. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Tairin]

This video is available on YouTube for free. It is a pretty sobering message.





Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Doshin]

This video is available on YouTube for free. It is a pretty sobering message.





Tairin
Sat today and lah

Yes very sobering Tairin.

As exhibited at the very beginning these issues were anticipated long ago.

I have worked on green energy issues regarding wildlife and long ago reached the conclusion that green isn’t necessarily green.

The paradigm that infinite growth on a finite planet is not sustainable sums it all up.

And the closing quote by Rachel Carlson from so long ago is telling “Humandkind is challenged, as it has never been challenged before to prove its maturity and its mastery-not of nature, but of its self.”

Doshin
St

[Tairin]

A little off topic but I thought this article might resonate with the contributors to this discussion.

https://theconversation.com/billiona...-growth-164511


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Doshin]

A little off topic but I thought this article might resonate with the contributors to this discussion.

https://theconversation.com/billiona...-growth-164511


Tairin
Sat today and lah

A good read. Thank you.

Doshin
St

[Meitou]

599B7ADC-97DE-49A8-BFB8-793AA63C819A.jpeg

If the image is too small to read...

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold



My first teacher of Interdependence. His teachings began my path and continue to center me. He died 3 years before I was born and I became his student at the age of 19

Today is Earth Day. A time not only to reflect but engage. vow to save all sentient beings

Thank you for this Doshin, I had not heard of Aldo Leopold, I'll start with A Sand County Almanac.
At the moment my escapist reading is Kim Stanley Robinson's New York 2140, which feels more like prediction than fiction right now.

Gassho
Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

[Doshin]

Meitou

Sand County Almanac was given to me by a friend who had to read it for a class. That began my relationship with Aldo. I read him, met two of his children, quote him often, have visited “The Shack” several times (you will read of the shack) and was asked to read one of his books for advancement to candidacy in graduate school when I returned mid career.

Gassho
Doshin
Stlah

[Washin]

599B7ADC-97DE-49A8-BFB8-793AA63C819A.jpeg

If the image is too small to read...

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold



My first teacher of Interdependence. His teachings began my path and continue to center me. He died 3 years before I was born and I became his student at the age of 19

Today is Earth Day. A time not only to reflect but engage. vow to save all sentient beings

[Joyo]

599B7ADC-97DE-49A8-BFB8-793AA63C819A.jpeg

If the image is too small to read...

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold



My first teacher of Interdependence. His teachings began my path and continue to center me. He died 3 years before I was born and I became his student at the age of 19

Today is Earth Day. A time not only to reflect but for me to renew “my” engagement. “I” vow to save all sentient beings

Thank you for sharing, Doshin.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Heiso]

I had the opportunity to spend some time in the Extinction Rebellion camp in London today and hope to do so a few more times this week. It seemed a good opportunity to spend some time with people trying to make positive change happen.

I'm not sure how widely know the movement is outside of the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environm...liament-square

Gassho,

Neil

[Doshin]

I

I had the opportunity to spend some time in the Extinction Rebellion camp in London today and hope to do so a few more times this week. It seemed a good opportunity to spend some time with people trying to make positive change happen.

I'm not sure how widely know the movement is outside of the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environm...liament-square

Gassho,

Neil

Neil I know of them, but not sure of others . I am glad you want to engage. Thank you for your effort.

Gassho
Doshin
Stlah

[Meitou]

I had the opportunity to spend some time in the Extinction Rebellion camp in London today and hope to do so a few more times this week. It seemed a good opportunity to spend some time with people trying to make positive change happen.

I'm not sure how widely know the movement is outside of the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/environm...liament-square

Gassho,

Neil

Oh brilliant Neil, I'll be there in spirit!
Doshin, I'm just a few pages into the SCA, it's wonderful, so lyrically written, which I hadn't expected.
Thanks to all of you for your eco-practice

Meitou
Satwithyoualltoday lah

[Doshin]

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/e...VziCknJ7NKBsA0