Ecological Perspectives in Buddhism

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Life exists and survives in ecology which has two-fold spheres: internal and external. The concern of internal ecology is inner sphere and that of external ecology is outer sphere of the existence. The importance of ecology can be gleaned from the fact that in reality, existence and ecology cannot be separated from each other. The animate existence, and particularly human existence, imbibes and revolves around its ecology. The inner sphere of ecology is the mental realm of human beings. As different from the inner realm, the external realm consist of all those things/events/phenomena which affect human consciousness; both existence as well as well-being. Although internal and external ecological perspectives can logically be separated from each other, there is a relationship of inherence between them, as one’s existence determines the nature of the existence of others and also in return gets determined by others. Human existence-mental as well as physical-is a product of ecology: internal as well as external. Mental determines physical, likewise physical determines mental. Nothing can be separated from others. The aim of the search for ecological thoughts in Buddhism is to show that our ancient culture was concerned with reflections on the inter-connectedness between life and ecology. This anthology aims at a comprehensive overview of these reflections.

Here, except essays of Lhakdor, Lata Chhatre, Bijayananda Kar and M.R. Chinchore, which were presented at the ICPR National Seminar held at Government College Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh in May 2002, others are quite new ones. Though I had organized the seminar with the directorship of Prof. Rimpoche, Prime Minister, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala in 2002, there was no idea to bring about the anthology at that time. The idea struck in 2005, while working on a project on Tibetan Buddhism. I requested my known friends to contribute and the present anthology is the result. The attempt has been made to differentiate it from the seminar proceedings and present a thoroughly renewed approach to Buddhist thought on a very relevant issue of ecological concerns.

Back of the Book

Ecological Perspectives in Buddhism Human existence - mental as well as physical - is a product of ecology. Bu way of showing that our ancient culture was concerned with reflections on the intimate relationship between life and ecology, this anthology presents an in-depth analysis of Buddhist response to ecological concerns.

It reflects upon the wider range of contemporary relevance and importance, such as the relationship between mental and physical aspects of human life, casual explanation of ecological issues in the light of pratityasamutpada and concept of sunyata, social and legal ecology, tantra and vipasyana aspects of Buddhist yoga, and Buddhist approach to ‘deep’ as well as ‘shallow’ ecology. This book will be useful for the students and scholars of various disciplines who are interested in ecological issues and their possible solutions, development workers, ecologists, and the lay-men interested in the subject.

About the Editor

Dr. K. C. Pandey (1970) is Reader in the Department of Philosophy, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur. He has also taught at the colleges of Delhi University, B.R.A. Bihar University and Himachal Pradesh University. With awarded writings to his credit, he has contributed research papers in journals and anthologies in India and abroad, such as, Philosophical Investigations, Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research, Indian Philosophical Quarterly, Summerhill IIAS Review, Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, and Paramarsh. His other published works are: Wittgenstein Ke Darshan Ki Ruprekha, Tulanatmak Darshan, Perspectives on Wittgenstein’s Unsayable and Ludwig Wittgenstein: Ethics and Religion.