Jacob Weigand

Karl Gill

3/9/06

Chapter 5: "Buddhism and Ecology"

By: Ian Harris

Small Groups:

Group #1- Positive Evidence and East Asian Buddhism

1. Does the emphasis placed on intentionality justify the continued
use and exploitation of the environment?  Why or why not?

2. How does the idea of the middle way relate to the conflict of
stewardship and the dominating view of anthropocentrism.

3. Does the lack of a clear contextual reference toward the treatment
of the environment automatically make Buddhism less eco-friendly? Why
or why not?

4. How does the virtue of Metta and the importance of an enlightened
mental state relate to an eco-friendly ethic?

5. Does the idea of everything, even non-sentient beings, having the capacity to reach nirvana necessarily make Buddhism ‘green’? Why or why not?

6. The culture of the Orient believes “the idea of [environmental] conquest is abhorrent” (130).  Is the idea that Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism, is more environmentally friendly the result of actual Buddhist principles or merely cultural values unrelated to Buddhism?

Group #2- Evidence Against and East Asian Buddhism

1. Buddhism teaches that all things in the world are impermanent.  How does this contrast with the traditional western view of nature and what are the implications for a Buddhist ecology?

2. For Buddhism, liberation comes from a freeing of the bonds of the suffering world.  How is it that an ecological theory can connected to Buddhism in relation to this as apposed to what we have learned of Christian environmentalism?

3. The life of a hermit is held in a fairly high regard within Buddhism as the hermit lives away from civilization in spite of the strong belief of the danger inherent in the wilderness.  What is the purpose of the monk in the wilderness and why is his life not ecocentric from the Buddhist perspective?

4. Does the idea of everything, even non-sentient beings, having the capacity to reach nirvana necessarily make Buddhism ‘green’? Why or why not?