Environmental Views and Practices in Early and Modern Buddhism

Abstract

In Western countries today, there is a tendency to associate Buddhism with concern for the environment, nonharm, and vegetarianism. These views reflect the fact that many modern Buddhist organizations address global environmental problems and offer their own solutions. Nevertheless, some researchers of Buddhism note that traditionally Buddhism is anthropocentric and aims to help people achieve liberation from samsara and does not address environmental issues. Other researchers address fundamental Buddhist concepts, such as, the concept of dependent origination, arguing that Buddhism implicitly encompasses environmental issues. In academic circles, the topic of ecology in the context of Buddhism has been developing since the 1960s, and there have been attempts, in the last two decades, to create Buddhist environmental ethics that would respond to specific environmental challenges. In this article, I propose, firstly, to outline the tenets of classical Buddhism that can be interpreted from an ecological point of view. Secondly, to address the critique of the idea of Buddhism’s ecological nature. Thirdly, to examine examples of activities of some contemporary large Buddhist organizations, which may be particularly relevant in the context of modern urban studies and practices. The analysis of environmental initiatives by Buddhist communities in urban settings may offer new approaches to sustainable urban development, ecological transformation of urban spaces, and the formation of environmental consciousness among city dwellers.