Dear all
Thank you all for joining this study and practice group. This week we begin with the Introduction to the book, in which David Loy summarises the structure of the book and the focus of each of the six chapters to follow.
Chapter one will outline the current situation on our planet in terms of facing numerous ecological and environmental issues, of which climate change is perhaps the most obvious.
Loy then asks if the ecological crisis is also a Buddhist crisis in terms of how we look at individual awakening, karma and rebirth; ideas which will be explored further in the second chapter.
The subject matter of chapter three (‘What Are We Overlooking?’) examines the traditional Buddhist relationship with nature (beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha’s own awakening under the bodhi tree) and compares it with much of current practice taking place indoors, often in urban settings.
A number of specifically Buddhist approaches to living, including the first precept (to refrain from killing) and understanding greed and craving to be causing much of our own suffering, are noted as part of chapter four, and it is pointed out that these elements of individual practice need very much to be translated into much larger movements.
The final two chapters of the book (‘What If It’s Too Late?’ and ‘What Shall We Do?’) are described as the possibility we are facing our own extinction and what we can do to respond to the crisis if this is or is not the case. Loy makes the argument that whether or not what we do makes a difference, or enough of a difference, it is important to engage with this crisis, as Buddhists who care about other beings (especially as Mahayana Buddhists).
These are some questions you might wish to think about and answer as part of this week’s study (we will aim to read around ten pages per week). Alternatively, feel free to talk about anything else that the introduction has brought up for you, or beginning to engage with this topid.
On page two, David Loy lists a number of different environmental issues which are currently facing us. Are there any issues in particular which you have a specific interest in or feel is especially crucial to tackle?
How would you say that you dharma practice currently includes environmental issues? If the answer is not at all or very little, that is totally fine. No one is being judged here.
What role do you think that Buddhism and Buddhists have in facing the current environmental situation?
While we will move on to new reading each week, none of the earlier threads will be locked so it is possible to come back and comment if you cannot get to the material within the seven days we first explore it, or if you have something else to add.
Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-
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Originally Posted by Kokuu
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