View Chapters

Book: The Buddha's Path of Peace

Chapter: A Global Awakening?

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.39419

Blurb:

The question may arise: If the world is ‘not worth clinging to’ why save it from climate change or any other global catastrophe? Mundane positive answers would refer to the worthiness of diverse beautiful creatures, to the millions of years of evolution and struggle, to the uniqueness (or specialness) of planet Earth, to the great achievements of human beings, to the love for our grandchildren, to our responsibility to future generations. The Buddha would not reject such answers but would encourage a Gestalt shift, to see the issue more deeply, in ultimate (supramundane) terms.
Here there is a discussion of the ‘Eight Worldly Intentions’ of humankind, and the possibility of a movement from negative to positive.

Chapter Contributors