Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis Paperback – 28 February 2019
by David Loy (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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How can we respond urgently and effectively to the ecological crisis--and stay sane doing it?
Within these pages, you'll discover the powerful ways Buddhism can inspire us to heal the world we share. Offering a compelling framework and practical spiritual resources, Loy outlines the Ecosattva Path, a path of liberation and salvation for all beings and the world itself.
This landmark work is simultaneously a manifesto, a blueprint, a call to action, and a deep comfort for troubling times. David R. Loy masterfully lays out the principles and perspectives of Ecodharma--a Buddhist response to our ecological predicament, introducing a new term for a new development of the Buddhist tradition.
This book emphasizes the three aspects of Ecodharma:
- practicing in the natural world, exploring the ecological implications of Buddhist teachings, and embodying that understanding in the eco-activism that is needed today.
Within these pages, you'll discover the powerful ways Buddhism can inspire us to heal the world we share. Offering a compelling framework and practical spiritual resources, Loy outlines the Ecosattva Path, a path of liberation and salvation for all beings and the world itself.
Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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"Ecodharma lays an invaluable foundation for Buddhist environmental analysis and activism. Anyone concerned about the future of sentient beings and living systems on this planet should read this book."
--Christopher Ives, author of Zen on the Trail: Hiking as Pilgrimage
"David Loy is the most significant and inspiring advocate for the meeting of Eastern wisdom and Western social reform writing today. This book offers a timely and urgently needed voice, based on deep experience in the Zen tradition and on thorough scholarship--and is immensely readable and enjoyable too. A true guiding star in our firmament."
--Henry Shukman, Zen teacher, poet, and author of One Blade of Grass
A Best Spiritual Book of 2019--Spirituality & Practice
About the Author
David R. Loy's books include the acclaimed Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution; The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory; The World Is Made of Stories; A Buddhist Response to the Climate Emergency; and The Dharma of Dragons and Daemons, a finalist for the 2006 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award. He was the Besl Professor of Ethics/Religion and Society at Cincinnati's Xavier University and is qualified as a teacher in the Sanbo Kyodan tradition of Zen Buddhism.
His articles appear regularly in the pages of major journals such as Tikkun and Buddhist magazines including Tricycle, Turning Wheel, Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma, as well as in a variety of scholarly journals. He is on the editorial or advisory boards of the journals Cultural Dynamics, Worldviews, Contemporary Buddhism, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, and World Fellowship of Buddhists Review. He is also on the advisory boards of Buddhist Global Relief, the Clear View Project, Zen Peacemakers, and the Ernest Becker Foundation. He lives in Boulder, CO
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Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Top reviews from other countries
Cynthia Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars A significant contribution
Reviewed in the United States on 16 August 2019
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These days, because of the aging population, there are many books, talks, retreats on a Buddhist approach to being with death. This is perhaps the first of what in five of ten years will be many books, talks, retreats on being with climate catastrophe. Ecodharma is not for the faint of heart but neither are the times we live in.
I am grateful to Loy for this beautiful, deeply thoughtful examination of Buddhism and the planetary emergency. Although he provides an extensive and intensive review of the Heart Sutra and the ways of approaching "form is emptiness/empiness is form", those of us who haven't already explored the dharma of emptiness/nonself could find this a tough read.
For some years it's seems that Western dharma teaching--so beautiful, important, life-transforming in so many ways--was weak on getting students/yogis even started on exploring this central aspect of Buddhism. As reading Ecodharma makes clear, such understanding is critical not only to help us grasp the reality and meaning of our personal deaths (and indeed the delusion of self that is the basic source of our suffering ) but also to grasp the reality and meaning of the "death" of our planet as we've known it. So it could be helpful before delving into this profound and valuable work to at least read or listen to teachers who might prepare the mind, lay a groundwork (e.g. Rodney Smith, Stepping Out of Self-Delusion).
For everyone who has laid a groundwork (to at least, in the old joke, not have a heart attack upon hearing the Heart Sutra), this book is invaluable, deeply thought, providing exactly the necessary wisdom for these times.
To quote Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, quoted in Ecodharma (p. 148):
In Buddhist practice we say congratulations because now is the time we have been practicing for. No more just practicing the dance. We must now dance. And this is not a dress rehearsal.
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6 people found this helpful
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Scott Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a deeply important book!
Reviewed in the United States on 10 June 2019
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I have been a Zen practitioner for 40 years now and for over 8 years I regularly wrote articles on climate change and other environmental issues for an environmental publication. David Loy has taken great care in writing his book Ecodharma and I believe that it is of pivotal importance to we Zen practitioners. It is no longer enough for us to diligently practice our zazen with a sangha and study with a credible Zen teacher, while more or less ignoring the climate emergency that increasingly surrounds and engulfs us. In light of all this, Loy is on track in urging us to seriously reconsider what our bodhisattva vows truly mean and what our practice as a whole requires of us.
6 people found this helpful
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Douglas I. Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for this time of crisis
Reviewed in the United States on 12 May 2020
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In a world accelerating toward catastrophe (climate change, pollution, extinction, and now pandemic), what are we to do about it? David Loy has written an extraordinary work that both challenges and redefines the Buddhist path to meet these global threats. With piercing insight, he argues that the historical emphasis on individual liberation simply isn’t enough; we must reimagine and act toward a collective awakening if we are to survive, along with our countless fellow creatures. Readers versed in Buddhist thought will have easier access to "Ecodharma", but it has deep rewards for those who resonate with Loy’s diagnosis of our moment in history.
In Loy’s view, the “Axial Age” traditions (including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Vedanta, and the Abrahamic religions) all share a “cosmological dualism”. This posits that there is another, better world beyond this one to which we can aspire if we adhere to the practices and beliefs within the tradition. Not only does this belief devalue the Earth as a mere backdrop for individual salvation, it perversely supports unbridled resource exploitation precisely because this world is of incidental importance. Go forth and multiply, have dominion over the earth and all its creatures… and our global crash is what ensues.
Loy suggests that “Buddhism is not just what the Buddha said, but what he began.” In this way, he honors the many forms and expressions that Buddhism has taken as it migrated to different cultures across the globe and over millennia. In an especially incisive critique, he observes a new twist on the solitary renunciate who rejects the world to secure his own salvation: modern-day meditation practices are often narrowly deployed to help people cope better with the demands of daily life. And for those who have benefited from mindfulness or other stress reduction methods, there is no doubt that they can bring inner peace. But if the remedy stops there, it has simply privatized the costs of pervasive social ills. In other words, it’s simply not enough to help the individual adapt to a world that is crying out for a deeper, systemic cure.
It’s impossible to describe here the many gems of insight that Loy offers us, but one example is his fresh take on the five precepts that many Buddhist practitioners adopt. Along with not killing, lying, stealing, or cheating sexually, there is abstention from intoxicants that cloud the mind. Within this he includes consumerism, which has addicted humanity like no other drug, and left behind the wreckage of resource depletion across the world. We are all (not equally) complicit in this crime, but he makes it clear that it’s time for a collective change.
Fortunately, the book is not just a litany of disasters, however well described. The Buddhist tradition already has in place an answer to these shortcomings – the way of the bodhisattva. Traditionally, the bodhisattva makes a vow to delay his or her enlightenment to liberate all beings. What Loy brings to this ideal is a recognition that the Earth is quite literally our mother, and that the fate of ourselves and all creatures are inseparable from hers. He builds on extensive quotes from Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hahn, Thomas Berry, and many others to make his case for a profound shift to collective awakening. Finally, he identifies a number of potential political and social actions to this end.
While the entire volume demonstrates his broad mastery of Buddhist thought, Loy is anything but a doctrinaire Buddhist. He not only cites many sources of perennial wisdom, but recognizes that the “eco-sattvas” the world desperately needs are appearing already from a multitude of cultures and traditions. Anyone who recognizes the spiritual dimension of our human challenge will benefit enormously from reading this superlative work.
3 people found this helpful
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Garry Claridge
5.0 out of 5 stars What not to do, but how to do it!
Reviewed in the United States on 14 March 2019
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Good discussion to lay out the basics and questions for an emerging Ecodharma.
6 people found this helpful
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1974
2.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting read, but without a single citation or bibliography
Reviewed in the United States on 12 December 2020
Verified Purchase
Loy writes well, although it's a bit overly verbose at times. Still, the information he provides is critical for anyone, especially Buddhists, who might be interested in taking environmental action. However, the book references studies, such as "a study by so and so says," but doesn't really cite the particular study, year, or page number. He quotes people but doesn't say where the quote comes from. I found this frustrating. He lists suggested readings at the back, which is helpful.
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It was somewhat confusing the arguments against helping the environment seemed to be a lot, and. The arguments for were rather tenuous and a stretch.
It mostly focuses on hypershallow western mahayanna buddhism, like he literally didn't even mention reincarnation a single time, but instead kept talking random jesus stories.
I'm greatly disappointed.
Like here is a simple argument for which he didn't even attempt, having a better ecosystem would lead to less suffering.
Here's another grow a paradise now and you can reincarnate into it. (less)
It mostly focuses on hypershallow western mahayanna buddhism, like he literally didn't even mention reincarnation a single time, but instead kept talking random jesus stories.
I'm greatly disappointed.
Like here is a simple argument for which he didn't even attempt, having a better ecosystem would lead to less suffering.
Here's another grow a paradise now and you can reincarnate into it. (less)
Just started, but astounding. Should be required reading for every Buddhist!
Not great, Loy employs Buddhist teachings to argue Buddhist teachings dictate that those who care about Buddhism should also care about the climate crisis. When you think about it, this isn't a particularly ambitious thing to argue for.
Loy is quite light on details in various instances, particularly in his dismissals of "sectarian" politicism. His use of the word "spiritual" is very imprecise, and often quite misleading. And some of the arguments that he dedicates a lot of space to are quite flaccid; his discussions of no-self and emptiness often amount to "we are part of nature" which is true in a sense, but doesn't give the cutting insight into the climate crisis from Buddhist teachings that Loy promises.
Quite a big omissions in Loy's discussion of modernism/enlightenment values and associated pitfalls. While Loy is correct that all traditional Buddhist sources are pre-modern, he overlooks that various contemporary interpretations of said texts are very much modern developments (for instance, the re-interpretation of the sattipathana sutta during and post colonialism are well documented). Furthermore, in his critique of the enlightenment separation of man from nature, Loy ignores that many would put him within the enlightenment values camp; see, for example his occasional mentions of Buddhism's 'remarkable' closeness to scientific predictions in the final chapter, and his dedication thr bulk of an entire chapter to a protestant attempt to "deconstruct and reconstruct the self".
I'm sure Loy could respond to some of these concerns, but an overarching theme of the book is that he doesnt seem to have exposed to what critics (who also care about the climate crisis) might say, and so he doesnt anticipate them. There are the occasional nuances, for instance he makes some attempt to not invoke a noble savage narrative.
Despite all of these issues, I was most disappointed with Loy's very light exposition on how the bodhisattva belief that individual liberation is a less worthy goal than the liberation of all beings. I imagine this is because he worried it might be "sectarian" and isolate Theravādins but he could have trodden lightly and explored the particularly interesting insight this concept brings. For instance, the implications for our responsibilities toward future persons.
Although Loy is aware climate change is an intersectional crisis I really felt his comments felt like an add-on reminder; this is really something that requires its own chapter rather than a few pages throughout the book.
There are some good parts though. The appendices are probably the strongest part of the book, particularly "the sixteen core dharma principles" and "getting real about climate change". (less)
Loy is quite light on details in various instances, particularly in his dismissals of "sectarian" politicism. His use of the word "spiritual" is very imprecise, and often quite misleading. And some of the arguments that he dedicates a lot of space to are quite flaccid; his discussions of no-self and emptiness often amount to "we are part of nature" which is true in a sense, but doesn't give the cutting insight into the climate crisis from Buddhist teachings that Loy promises.
Quite a big omissions in Loy's discussion of modernism/enlightenment values and associated pitfalls. While Loy is correct that all traditional Buddhist sources are pre-modern, he overlooks that various contemporary interpretations of said texts are very much modern developments (for instance, the re-interpretation of the sattipathana sutta during and post colonialism are well documented). Furthermore, in his critique of the enlightenment separation of man from nature, Loy ignores that many would put him within the enlightenment values camp; see, for example his occasional mentions of Buddhism's 'remarkable' closeness to scientific predictions in the final chapter, and his dedication thr bulk of an entire chapter to a protestant attempt to "deconstruct and reconstruct the self".
I'm sure Loy could respond to some of these concerns, but an overarching theme of the book is that he doesnt seem to have exposed to what critics (who also care about the climate crisis) might say, and so he doesnt anticipate them. There are the occasional nuances, for instance he makes some attempt to not invoke a noble savage narrative.
Despite all of these issues, I was most disappointed with Loy's very light exposition on how the bodhisattva belief that individual liberation is a less worthy goal than the liberation of all beings. I imagine this is because he worried it might be "sectarian" and isolate Theravādins but he could have trodden lightly and explored the particularly interesting insight this concept brings. For instance, the implications for our responsibilities toward future persons.
Although Loy is aware climate change is an intersectional crisis I really felt his comments felt like an add-on reminder; this is really something that requires its own chapter rather than a few pages throughout the book.
There are some good parts though. The appendices are probably the strongest part of the book, particularly "the sixteen core dharma principles" and "getting real about climate change". (less)
Ecodharma is a passionate, if sometimes scattershot, summation of a group of views that have emerged among Buddhist leaders on the subject of climate change (or, to use the term Loy prefers, the ecological crisis). For those - like me - who are familiar with many of those leaders' works but have not engaged with the specifically ecologically oriented parts of their teachings, it serves as an apt introduction and points the way to a great deal more reading (particularly, as other reviewers have pointed out, of the Joanna Macy works that Loy frequently cites). Even without that knowledge, though, there is a great deal to be gained from this book for a general reader. As in his other work that I've read (Money, Sex, War, Karma), Loy shows a knack for the pithy and provocative turn of phrase and for situating core Buddhist ideals in Western social justice terms. All of these are to his (and the book's) credit.
Unfortunately, the book also feels a little scattered. Large parts of the beginning are dedicated to reciting the details of the crisis that we face - which is worthy enough, but can feel like a distraction for those who want immediately to jump into answers, suggestions, and calls to action. (I suspect Loy would, perhaps rightly, encourage us to sit with our discomfort in simply reading about how bad things are.) While each chapter feels engaging in and of itself, the book doesn't quite feel like it gains momentum as a whole, doesn't build to a sweeping argument of the sort that I'm sure some readers are eager for. I'm torn as to whether this is a strength or a weakness; I suspect the answer is neither. Much like the pages of quotes that precede each chapter (which I see at least one other reviewer struggled with), the book is probably at its most potent if you're willing to meet Loy where he is and have some background knowledge of him, his tradition, and Buddhism more generally.
Despite these hindrances, the book contains many thought-provoking and beautiful reformulations of long-held Buddhist truths into contemporary terms in ways that are helpful for facing the ecological crisis. The appendices, which collect a few major statements from Buddhist leaders (including Loy) on the topic, are particularly valuable as even pithier enunciation of the steps we need to take. It's a worthy introduction to the topic. (less)
Unfortunately, the book also feels a little scattered. Large parts of the beginning are dedicated to reciting the details of the crisis that we face - which is worthy enough, but can feel like a distraction for those who want immediately to jump into answers, suggestions, and calls to action. (I suspect Loy would, perhaps rightly, encourage us to sit with our discomfort in simply reading about how bad things are.) While each chapter feels engaging in and of itself, the book doesn't quite feel like it gains momentum as a whole, doesn't build to a sweeping argument of the sort that I'm sure some readers are eager for. I'm torn as to whether this is a strength or a weakness; I suspect the answer is neither. Much like the pages of quotes that precede each chapter (which I see at least one other reviewer struggled with), the book is probably at its most potent if you're willing to meet Loy where he is and have some background knowledge of him, his tradition, and Buddhism more generally.
Despite these hindrances, the book contains many thought-provoking and beautiful reformulations of long-held Buddhist truths into contemporary terms in ways that are helpful for facing the ecological crisis. The appendices, which collect a few major statements from Buddhist leaders (including Loy) on the topic, are particularly valuable as even pithier enunciation of the steps we need to take. It's a worthy introduction to the topic. (less)
Loy's book isn't only a wonderful, helpful guide to the current ecological crisis and what humans can do about it, it's also a great intro to some of the basic concepts of Mahayana Buddhism, specifically emptiness and what it really is (not nihilism, as westerners sometimes mistake it to be) and interbeing/interconnectedness. If you're unfamiliar with the environmental crisis and the activists doing something about it Loy will introduce you to many more books to read, people to follow, and ways to help. He directly confronts the reasons that Buddhism and many other religions have had problems coming together to work for the earth and discusses ways we can repair our ways. And I very much appreciated that he, with a heavy influence by/debt to Joanna Macy, directly confronts the idea that maybe it's too late to "save the earth," but convincingly tells us why we need to try every day to do it anyway. That's a very important idea to confront, that we've destroyed the earth in ways we can't ever repair. It's also important to remember that a Bodhisattva does good without attachment to the outcome. We don't know what will truly help, what won't, what's going to happen. All we can do is both change our own minds and work to change the world around us for the better because that's what we can do. I read this book along with my sangha and I found that discussing it with others helped in dealing with the feelings of pain, anger, frustration, and sadness that it brought up, and also helped me figure out new ways I could actively help. I also now hope to one day attend one of Joanna Macy's workshops and to spend time at the Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center. (less)
The author is not terribly educated about the ecological crisis. He repeats the old eugenecist's saw that ecological problems are due to overpopulation, rather than overconsumption. He praises the "creativity" and "opportunity" of capitalism, and makes uneducated assumptions about atheism (i.e. that atheists don't care about the earth because they don't have spiritual beliefs about it).
There are multiple pages of quotes before each chapter, which is weird.
When he does get around to talking about his area of expertise, it is often poorly linked back to his thesis about ecology. Readers would be better served reading the Joanna Macy works he quotes extensively. (less)
There are multiple pages of quotes before each chapter, which is weird.
When he does get around to talking about his area of expertise, it is often poorly linked back to his thesis about ecology. Readers would be better served reading the Joanna Macy works he quotes extensively. (less)
Author David Loy has made a convincing case for utilizing Buddhist teachings with climate activism. Buddhism creates a duality between mindfulness and causing no harm, or at very least making the effort to right the harm we have done to the planet and all species, including ourselves.
If you hope to convert others to act on climate issues, this is the book for you.
If you hope to convert others to act on climate issues, this is the book for you.
Made me think much more critically about the cultural context that Buddhism developed within, and the ways in which that might play out in inaction. I'm actually finding now that this book's main thrust is quite applicable to racial justice work. ...more
The way forward? Quite thoughtful and inspiring.
Interesting mix of Dharma and ecology.
Awesome book. There aren't many books like this out there. It's inspired me to try and live a better life for the planet. What I'm saying may be corny, but for me it's true. We need to find a way, all of us to do better. We face the possibility of dying everyday, even if we dont realize it. But if we don't act now all of life on earth could die. No joke, and it's the result of each of our individual action. We have a chance, a small chance, but that's how we humans tend to work best. To do better for the world, to not pollute it, poison it, and directly or indirectly add to its end. This is one of the few books that can start us on the path. It dosent provide a whole picture. Life never does, it's up to each of us and all of us, to find someone to start, and go forth in a path of love. One critique is that The ideas are organized okay, but could be better. The topics of each chapter are broadly associated with what's in the chapter. I'm left wanting more, but this book gave me a place to start, and I'm thankful for that. Thank you, with all my heart, David Loy. (less)
I'm a little over half way through and am thoroughly enjoying the book. I like the way David digs way deep beneath the surface. The central question it raises for me: what does it mean to turn away from considering ourselves stewards of the earth while embracing are part as the earth's co-inhabitant.
I've been doodling a lot lately about the Buddhist idea of Non-self and what it means. Ecodharma offers a lot to think about.
All right. I'm going back to it now. (less)
I've been doodling a lot lately about the Buddhist idea of Non-self and what it means. Ecodharma offers a lot to think about.
All right. I'm going back to it now. (less)
