[Buddha-l] Ecological Buddhism

[robertupeksa at talktalk.net]

Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] Ecological Buddhism


I do agree with Joanna Macy's four spiritual traps. The problem is that traditional Buddhism constantly conveys these messages: perhaps not in its more subtly-interpreted doctrine when investigated and discussed, but in its summarised teaching, its ritual, and its scriptures (again, unless interpreted carefully and selectively). Most non-Buddhist intellectuals assume?that Buddhism involves belief in (1), which suggests that Buddhists have really not done enough to dispel this impression if it is false. (2) is basically the second noble truth, which is basic headline Buddhism. (3) is a staple of the teaching of meditation: how many attenders at meditation classes would not agree with it? (4) is the Zen or tathagatagarbha trap.

The appeal to inter-dependence is also not going to provide a consistent alternative vision, because it is based on metaphysical claims that lie beyond experience. Inter-dependence may be associated with visions of universal compassion, but just that idea does not sustain universal compassion, nor provide a principle that can give rise to new approaches and techniques adequate to the immense moral challenges we face. Morally, inter-dependency also implies nothing whatsoever. We are just as interdependent with one being as another, and the mere awareness of that by itself does not help us to make choices between one priority and another. The ecological crisis is full of tough decisions about lesser-evil priorities, and it is far more important for the Buddhist tradition to help provide ways of resolving those decisions in a morally adequate way. Much as I admire Joanna Macy's activism, she has been leading large numbers of Buddhists down a philosophical blind alley by making !
 inter-dependence the starting point.

The alternative central Buddhist priniciple, which is so seldom discussed or explored in my experience, is the Middle Way. It is the Middle Way that actually provides moral guidance of universal applicability, showing how conditions can be met most effectively through overcoming delusions of both eternalist and nihilist types. It is eternalism of the type that assumes we know the metaphysics of nature that has led us into the ecological crisis, so it would be rather surprising if claims about inter-dependence, which do not move very far from claims to know about nature, led us out of it. We?need to recognise that we neither know 'nature' in any sense, nor can we deny provisional claims about?conditions that have been built up from experience. It is not top-down reasoning from any metaphysical principle about the phenomenal universe that will help us address ecological problems, but a recognition of the best way to work morally with our current experience.

Best wishes to all,
Robert Ellis

www.moralobjectivity.net 

jkirk wrote:

Excerpt:
Joanna [Macy] finds that many people (especially those drawn to
Eastern paths) have developed notions about spirituality that
hinder them from realizing their power to effect change.? Among
the 'spiritual traps' that cut the nerve of compassionate action
are these:

1. That the phenomenal world of beings is not real.? With this
view the pain of others and the demands on us that are implicit
in that pain are less tangible than the pleasures or aloofness we
can find in transcending them. 

2. That any pain we may experience in beholding the world derives
from our own cravings and attachments.? With this view, the ideal
way to deal with suffering becomes nonattachment to the fate of
all beings, not just nonattachment to matters of the ego. 

3. That we are constantly creating our world unilaterally through
our subjective thoughts.? Confrontation is considered negative
thinking, acceptance is positive.? Therefore it is concluded that
when we confront the injustice and dangers of our world we are
simply creating more conflict and misunderstanding. 

4. And the corollary, that the world is already perfect when we
view it spiritually.? We feel so peaceful that the world itself
will become peaceful without our need to act. 

Shackles and traps drop away in such lucid exposition of Wrong
Views.? Our responsibilities stand forth clearly.

..
We can begin our task of developing such alternatives by meeting
in informal groups within our larger Sanghas to examine politics
and economics from a Buddhist perspective. It will become
apparent that traditional teachings of interdependence bring into
direct question the rationale of accumulating wealth and of
governing by hierarchical authority. What, then, is to be done?

..