Deep Ecology: We are the offspring of dirt and air and water

Lin Jensen is unstinting in his fierce dedication to environmental causes. The problem at its root is that we have become disengaged from the earth. We must correct this if we are ever to change our course. But can Buddhism help us do this?

There’s nothing in Buddhist philosophy like that of the biblical tradition granting humans “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Nor is there anything in Buddhist teaching that puts the care of earth in human hands. What the teaching actually does is put we humans in the care of earthly hands. We are the offspring of dirt and air and water, and no prideful boast to the contrary alters that.

The notion of interconnectedness ties us to all living things and our planet. There is no other place to go to. As Lin says, “We are the offspring of dirt and air and water”—shouldn’t we care for our parents?

from Tricycle…..please go HERE to read more.