Alina Burgess, Rev.

All the articles in this spring journal address aspects of Buddhist practice with respect to environmental issues. In the media we can hear and read varied statistics and predictions about the current state and future of the planet we live on. This is a vast and complicated issue which it seems is going to have an effect on us all in some form—whether large or small, and in what timescale is as yet unclear. Different experts and commentators present different scenarios.

How should we respond to these issues and deal with the possible complex emotions and uncertainty which may arise in response?

What can or should we as individuals do on a personal level?

Is it all right if we choose not to engage with the issue, as it can seem there is little or nothing a single individual can do to effect change on a global scale, and just get on with living with care for our immediate surroundings?

What can the teachings and practice of our tradition offer to help us with it all?

The articles here are personal responses to such questions. They do not represent an ‘Order view’ on the environment. We are glad to be able to pass them on, and hope they are of help and interest.

Issue: only available as part of Journal, Spring 2015 pdf to download

Published as part of the Journal of the OBC. Please ask permission to reprint. OBC Copyright Policy