A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency

by John Stanley (Editor), David R. Loy (Editor), Gyurme Dorje (Editor)

Today, we are confronted by the gravest challenge that humanity has ever faced: the ecological consequences of our collective actions. What role can Buddhism play in our response to this global predicament? Can Buddhist traditions help us meet this challenge successfully? Should we focus on prayer and meditation or social action? This book shows that it's possible to do both. It presents the hard science of global warming and solutions to the crisis from a Buddhist perspective, together with the views of leading contemporary teachers. The Dalai Lama, Chatral Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin, Thich Nhat Hanh, Joanna Macy, Joseph Goldstein, Lin Jensen, and other eminent voices address topics such as peak oil, deforestation, renewable energy, and breaking the addiction to fossil fuels in essays that are both meaningful and mindful. Prayers for the planet, along with steps we can take individually and as a society, offer hope and inspiration.

Genres: Buddhism, Science

307 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Dr. John Stanley, Ph.D., is a biologist who has led university and government research in Canada, Switzerland and the U.K. His professional scientific interests centered on evolutionary biology and public health. He wrote multiple scientific papers in these fields, and is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

John currently focuses on his other longstanding interests, complementary medicine and psychology. He is a practicing member of the International College of Applied Kinesiology and a trainer of Neuro-linguistic Programming. He and his wife Diane have practiced Tibetan Buddhism for three decades in the Nyingma tradition of Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche.

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few good essays. Saddened by the lack of diversity. The Asian Buddhist perspectives were all from Tibetan Buddhism. The Western Buddhist perspectives were all Zen, except for one Mahayana-Theravada monk, most of whom were white. They all had their perspectives and wisdom to offer, but I wished the editors put some actual effort to reach more Asian American leaders and leaders of other Buddhist traditions for this anthology.

Essays I liked:

“When snow mountains wear black hats - an aspirational prayer to avert global warming” by Khenchen Thrangu Ripoche.

“The bodhisattva path at a time of crisis” by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche.

“A new meaning of Chu (“beings”) and No (“environment”) has emerged” by Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

“On being with our world” by Joanna Macy.

“Except as we have loved. All news arrived as from a distant land” by Joseph Goldstein.

“Now the whole planet has its head on fire” by Taigen Dan Leighton.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for Buddhists and for those genuinely interested in the Dharma. Quite often we find it easier to practice spiritual path in a temple but are at a loss when it comes to applying the spiritual knowledge in day to day life. Following the example of great teachers, such as HH the Dalai Lama and Dudjom Rinpoche, we can now apply Buddhist principles when it comes to looking after our environment, and, perhaps, even environmental activism.

[Jennie Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compendium of many top Buddhist spiritual leaders, masters and teachers from around the globe including the Dalai Lama, and their personal reflections and wisdom on global warming and environmental degradation we have caused. The book aims to bring Buddhist wisdom and science together toward a more comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis and our responsibility to do something about it, not look the other way. That each one of us in humanity and sharing the earth can and should take responsibility, as should our political leaders, in reducing our dependence and use of dirty fossil fuels, reduce our use of electricity/gas by being more energy efficient, and put political will and business to increasing and expanding the use of renewable clean energy--to address and reduce the climate crisis.

[Dana Larose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but it was very much preaching to choir for me. It was interesting seeing some of the Buddhist leaders calling for the same sort of societal/economic changes that Naomi Klein is advocating in This Changes Everything. Particularly in how the movement to combat climate change isn't just a technological problem but also about social justice.

It was a nice read while I've been thinking more about environmentalism and my own impacts.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting look at climate change from a Buddhist perspective, highlighting Buddhist ideals of interconnectedness and an escape from consumerism. There is a little repetitiveness with the science of climate change and solutions for the problem, especially if you've ever studied it. I mostly enjoyed the connections with Buddhist philosophy. Even not being Buddhist myself, I'm impressed with the beliefs and stances explained in the book.