Dharma Gaia: A Harvest of Essays in Buddhism and Ecology

Book Description

Dharma Gaia explores the ground where Buddhism and ecology meet, with writings by over twenty-five Buddhists and ecologists.

Customer Reviews:

A wide range of views for not just Buddhists.......2007-03-16

Badiner, ed., Dharma Gaia: A Harvest of Essays in Buddhism and Ecology, Berkeley, Parallax Press, 1990.
265 pages, $18.00
ISBN: 0938077309

More a collection of meditations or prose poems than essays, this book contains a wide range of short pieces from prominent writers and practitioners in the fields of Buddhism (Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, for example), East Asian philosophy and religion (Padmasiri De Silva and Joanna Macy), and the environmental and ecology movements (Bill Devall and John Seed). There are even selections from the Beat poets who introduced Buddhist ideas into the pop culture of the mid-twentieth century, Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsberg.

Some titles of a few essays will provide a good indication of the nature of the contents: "Orphism: the Ancient Roots of Green Buddhism;" "The Perceptual Implications of Gaia;" "Rock Body Tree Limb;" "Animal Dharma;" "Women and Ecocentricity;" "Earth Gathas;" "Haiku & the Ecotastrophe."

As a whole the collection is a little dated only in that one might wonder how recent developments such as acts of global terrorism and the now confirmed understanding of the dire effects of human activity on climate are viewed in the Buddhist ecological context. Otherwise, all the readings are superlative. Care of the earth is a long-established precept among Buddhists; Dharma Gaia offers enlightenment not just to Buddhists but also to anyone of any faith interested in the spiritual ground for environmental awareness. Suzanne Head, one of the contributors, prays that "other human beings of this planet would also find the confidence, courage and integrity to honor inner Nature and outer Nature.... Realizing the sacredness of the Earth that supports us and the sky that inspires us,...we would find ways to live that could be sustained by the biosphere. Instead of poisoning and plundering the Earth until all life expires, we could fulfill our Nature by being warriors for the Earth."

A Meagre Harvest.......2005-05-22

OK, we're still in the first throes of Buddhism entering mainstream USAmerican culture. Fine, the real work begins once the thrill of novelty is past. Sure, this is better than nothing at all.

But if you're looking to go more deeply into the ecological ramifications of the Buddha Dharma than lighthearted glosses on "interbeing" or "net of Indra" or "mutual co-arising" this is not the place to look. The essays are still by and large at the level of articles in Tricycle magazine.

Sadly, we're still waiting for a more probing, more insightful account. Even the Harvard Buddhism and Ecology does little better than this, particularly since it relies on many of the very same authors found here.

If you want to see a non-Buddhist approaching ecology in what really is a way wholly consonant with a deeply Buddhist ecology, read May Watt's Reading the Landscape of America. There, the rubber hits the road without all the banter of Buddhist lingo. Watt's demonstrates the truth of the lingo in action, and the book shows what patient practice with respect to the environment looks like.

for every thinking person and those who wish to be.......2001-10-29

Everyone I've recommended this book to has loved it. It will either be an introduction of new ideas that are pleasant to think about or a conformation of thoughts the reader already has worded in a way that makes them more accessable. The list of writers contains many sparkling souls. Anyone can read this without being offended, and everyone should read it at least once.

Fabulous, it will expand your mind.......2000-04-25

The book's premise is that buddhism is the perfect religion for an eco-centric based society & culture. It does very well in proving the compatibility and similarities between buddhism & ecology. The section on shifting views of perception is highly enlightening. The variety in this book is amazing, there are over 30 contributors. Books like this one, in which the book is merely a collection of essays on the same topic are great because you can read it in one sitting, or read an essay at a time. As you finish the last essay of the book, you will never see Smokey the Bear in the same light again, now there's a teaser!. But seriously folks, this book is great.

Well written, insightful, thought provoking.......1999-12-06

Dharma Gaia is a collection of essays offering different perspectives on human/Gaia interaction. These perspectives tie in with Buddhist philosophies to offer readers a sane and well reasoned spiritual approach to ecology. Short introduction by the Dalai Lama, essays and some poetry.

DHARMA GAIA-A HARVEST OF ESSAYS IN BUDDHISM AND ECOLOGY

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DHARMA GAIA-A HARVEST OF ESSAYS IN BUDDHISM AND ECOLOGY
Allan Hunt (Editor) Badiner
Manufacturer: Parallax Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000INV69I

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Going to School in India is a Perfect Book for Kids! Cultural Awareness must!

Going to School in India

Going to School in India
Lisa Heydlauff , Nitin Upadyhe , and Global Fund For Children (Organization)
Manufacturer: Charlesbridge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Asia | Explore the World | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
History | Education Theory | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

I Is for India (World Alphabets)

The Road to Mumbai

Lily's Garden of India

Monsoon Monsoon

Finders Keepers? (India Unveiled Childrens Series, 1)

ASIN: 1570916667

Customer Reviews:

Going to School in India is a Perfect Book for Kids! Cultural Awareness must!.......2007-07-22

Title: Going to School in India
Author: Lisa Heydlauff
Publisher: Chafrlesbridge (www.charlesbridge.com)
Review by: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style

Graphic designer and illustrator B.M. Kamath and photographer Nitin Upadhye along with writer Lisa Heydlauff have created one of what I would say is one of the best children's books to introduce a snapshot of daily life in India. It's cleverly crafted so the young readers will have new things to notice with each read-through and adults will love reading with their children as well. The visuals are strong and diverse and each spread delivers a different look and feel but every page invites exploration.

The text is a brave delivery of some of the harsh realities that Indian children endure but also offers plenty of extremely inspirational tidbits too. The incredible attention to detail like the graphics for page numbering shows how much thought went into each and every element in this cultural-rich book.

With a portion of each book purchased going towards the Global Fund for Children charity, this book isn't just a wonderful book but a good way to spend money that gives back to the community that needs it most. The book is a powerful addition to any child's bookshelf regardless if they are Indian or not. Trying to bridge the gap between cultures, `Going to School in India' is an important contribution to children's literature.

Going to School in India.......2006-02-28

This is a colorful and provocative book for classroom use. Although written for an elementary aged student, I used it in a high school Global Studies class and each page provides opportunities for thoughtful inquiry and discussion. Students used this book to teach younger students about education, India, and a world view that they might not have gotten otherwise. It is not a book designed to be a complete overview of Indian education, but rather a stimulus to thought. The rich and colorful layout appealed to my students and made it a page-turner, not a"coffee-table" book at all.

Going Public: Schooling for a Diverse Democracy

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Going Public: Schooling for a Diverse Democracy
Judith Renyi
Manufacturer: New Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Most Americans agree that the public school system in this country does not function well, yet while heated debates on what children should be taught in schools and who decides that curricula rage on, most of the arguments are being made in a historical vacuum. Tracing the history of American public schools from the beginnings 150 years ago, Going Public is the first attempt to show why and how an inadequate education system developed in our schools and to provide suggestions for how and what to change.

Going to School During the Civil War: The Confederacy (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)

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Going to School During the Civil War: The Confederacy (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)
Kerry A. Graves
Manufacturer: Capstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Going to School During the Civil War: The Union (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)

ASIN: 0736808027

Going to School During the Civil War: The Union (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)

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Going to School During the Civil War: The Union (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)
Kerry A. Graves
Manufacturer: Capstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Going to School During the Civil War: The Confederacy (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)

ASIN: 0736808019

Going to School During the Great Depression (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)

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Going to School During the Great Depression (Blue Earth Books: Going to School in History)
Kerry A. Graves
Manufacturer: Capstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Africa | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Going to School in Pioneer Times (Blue Earth Books:Going to School in History)

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Going to School in Pioneer Times (Blue Earth Books:Going to School in History)
Kerry A. Graves
Manufacturer: Capstone Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0736808043

Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?

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A Lucky Man
"Where Are You Going, Heinrich Himmler?"
A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History
Very informative with interesting illustrations

Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?
Jean Fritz
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

Exploration & Discovery | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 088103553X

Customer Reviews:

A Lucky Man.......2006-01-14

Columbus was a lucky man (blessed, he would say). He had to be. Who else could have so much go so wrong and still become famous for the one big thing he did by mistake: discover America...if he did that. Anyway, he had a lot of adventure (or misadventure), and Jean Fritz tells about it and him--not in the traditionally reverent way, but with a humorous and matter-of-fact approach.

"Where Are You Going, Heinrich Himmler?".......2003-09-26

It's hard to imagine something lower or more morally contemptible than books of this kind. Columbus was guilty of the genocide of eight million Native people. Imagine "Where Are You Going Heinrich Himmler?" or "Where Are You Going Adolf Eichmann?" for comparison. His vaunted "discovery" was no such thing. Native people were already there. Polynesians, Inuit, Phoenicians, and Africans had already made the same voyage, and unlike old Chris did not slaughter millions once they got here.
For very young children, I would simply mention that Columbus was a very cruel man and leave it at that. It is simply impossible to tell them the truth at such a young age without giving them nightmares. But for heaven's sake, DONT whitewash or glorify a butcher like Columbus. Once they are in their teens, tell you children the TRUTH with such wonderful books as Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me or Takaki's A Different Mirror. Our kids deserve truth, not lies, in order for them to better deal with the legacy of genocide.

A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History.......2002-01-31

This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.

Very informative with interesting illustrations.......1998-01-24

Nicely done. Jean Fritz relates to children of "all ages". A necessary compliment alongside the more encyclopedic versions.

Going to School in 1876 (Going to School in 1876 CL Nrf)

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Very light coverage, was expecting more substance
A Fun Lesson In History

Going to School in 1876 (Going to School in 1876 CL Nrf)
John J. Loeper
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0689310153

Customer Reviews:

Very light coverage, was expecting more substance.......2005-10-21

The book rambles around on what life was like for school children in American in 1876. There is more social commentary than discussion about school subject matter. The title implied more about what schools were like. Given what the book really covered the title should have been "Life in America for school children 1876."

The book talks about what life was like in America in general for children. Many times it mentions about how children had to work in mines, in factories, and on farms, without mentioning that in many ways those jobs were life savers. Without the work, many of those children would have suffered even more, or died.

There was a whole chapter on how children dressed. There was a chapter on fun after school. The book talked about the circus, swimming holes, and fun in the city.

There were a couple chapters sort of related to schooling. They were about the rules and discipline.

There were two chapters that I did like. One chapter was on the schools, and the other chapter was on the teachers. This is what I expecting the whole book to be focused on.

The book is OK, but I was expecting more about the details of schools in America.

A Fun Lesson In History.......2003-02-27

I thought this book was really good. It was interesting to hear how kids my age had to live and learn in that time. Great material for a book report, and you get an extra fun lesson in history.

Going to School in South Asia (The Global School Room)

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Going to School in South Asia (The Global School Room)

Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Afghanistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Bangladesh | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Bhutan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Maldives | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Nepal | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Pakistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Sri Lanka | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Curricula | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0313335532

Book Description

Afghanistan is one of many South Asian countries appearing in daily headlines, as it attempts to rebuild its society, including its educational system, after decades of war. Sri Lanka, devastated by the tsunami of 2004, and parts of Pakistan and Northern India, coping with the aftereffects of a major earthquake, are also also struggling for teachers, classrooms, supplies, and a sense of normalcy for their students. This volume, part of the Schooling Around the World series, provides readers with a history and survey of education in eight of the region's countries. It examines the Primary, Secondary, and Postsecondary levels of education, identifying the types of education available (public, private, tutoring, etc), any race, gender or social class issues that impact education, and major reforms taking place. Readers will find discussions of curriculum and teaching methods most helpful, as well as a special "day in the life" feature, which gives a personal look at what it's like for students attending school in that country today. -Afghanistan -Bangladesh -Bhutan -India -Maldives -Nepal -Pakistan -Sri Lanka

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Going to School in 1776
John J. Loeper
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

School & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0689300891

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