Earth Dharma
Fall 2005 Vol. 22 #1
Fall 2005 Vol. 22 #1
Introduction
How does meditation practice affect our relationship to the Earth—to its waters and atmosphere and creatures of all species? Read our editors’ thoughts and intentions.
Features
Interview with Ajahn Pasanno and Julia Butterfly Hill: The Bhikkhu and the Butterfly
By Barbara Gates, Dennis Crean, Wes Nisker
Ajahn Pasanno ordained trees in Thailand as a way of saving them, and Julia Butterfly Hill climbed into one grand old redwood in order to save it, creating news that inspired millions. Inquiring Mind editors Dennis Crean, Barbara Gates and Wes Nisker brought the two of them together for a conversation about trees, activism and love.
INDIGENOUS DHARMA: Native American and Buddhist Voices
By Eduardo Duran, John Travis, Fred Wahpepah, Lorain Fox Davis, Tsultrim Allione, Susan Murphy
What can we learn from Earth-based spiritual traditions such as those of the Native Americans? We present three Native American teachers—Eduardo Duran, Lorain Fox Davis and Fred Wahpepah—and three Buddhists who lead retreats with indigenous teachers—Susan Murphy, Tsultrim Allione and John Travis.
Zen student and mountain walker Patrick McMahon interweaves the path of a Mountains and Rivers Retreat with the story of the Buddha.
China Galland inspires us with stories and practices of the Goddess, in particular Green Tara.
Interview with Joseph Goldstein and Paul Hawken: A 10,000-year Perspective—Who Are You Going to Be?
By Diana Winston
Diana Winston, Paul Hawken and Joseph Goldstein discuss the intersection of dharma, ecology, sustainability and the future of our planet.
Eco-philosopher Joanna Macy encourages us to engage wholeheartedly with the challenges that climate change presents.
Tibetan scriptures prophesy the melting of the glaciers on the passes between Nepal and Tibet—and it’s happening now. Environmental reporter Cheryl Colopy describes the impact of climate change on this rugged, thin-aired landscape and its Sherpa villages.
Helena Norberg-Hodge argues that global industrialization leads to disconnection, psychological deprivation and environmental breakdown. But Buddhism’s philosophical foundation and emphasis on compassion put engaged Buddhists in a unique position to lead the way out.
Walking at the Albany Bulb, a former garbage dump reclaimed by nature and art, Barbara Gates muses on love, loss and mischievous perseverance.
A reflective essay by professor of media studies Andrew Goodwin on time, modernity and dharma.
Poems & Not Poems
Gary Snyder reveals the inspiration and context behind his “Smokey the Bear Sutra,” a timeless and timely classic in Buddhist environmentalism.
Books & Bodhi
Earth House Hold: Technical Notes & Queries To Fellow Dharma Revolutionaries, by Gary Snyder
Reviewed By Wes Nisker
(143 pp., New Directions, 1969)
The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations, Translated by Gil Fronsdal
Reviewed By John Kelly
(182 pp., Shambhala Publications, 2005)
Inquiring Mind book review editor Ronna Kabatzick talks with Gil Fronsdal about his new translation of the Dhammapada.
Everything Yearned For: Manhae’s Poems of Love and Longing, translated and introduced by Francisca Cho (192 pp., Wisdom Publications, 2004)
The Wisdom Anthology of North American Buddhist Poetry, edited by Andrew Schelling (416 pp., Wisdom Publications, 2005,)
Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Introduction, by Charles F. Chicarelli (304 pp., Silkworm Books, 2004)
Buddha Mind in Contemporary Art, edited by Jacquelynn Baas and Mary Jane Jacob (280 pp., University of California Press, 2004)
Dancing in the Dharma: The Life and Teachings of Ruth Denison, by Sandy Boucher
Reviewed By Myosho Virginia Matthews
(254 pp., Beacon Press, 2005)
A Mind Reader's Briefing
Reviewed By Steven D. Goodman, Rev. Heng Sure, Jan Eldridge, Kathryn Guta, Ronna Kabatznick, Wendy Johnson
Short reviews of Cinema Nirvana • Peaceful Death, Joyful Rebirth • Pure and Simple: The Extraordinary Teachings of a Thai Buddhist Laywoman • How to Free Your Mind: Tara the Liberator • Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung? • Compassion: Listening to the Cries of the World • Waking Up to What You Do
Practice
At Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Wendy Johnson shows how the Four Noble Truths relate to gardening and meditation.
The Dharma & the Drama
Wes Nisker thinks we humans had better wake up and smell the CO2. The wolf is now at the door, stopping by on its way to extinction.