Sustainability In Christianity And Buddhism

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Sustainable Spirituality Sustainability is shown in some religious practices one being Christianity, another being Buddhism. Caring for the earth is a very prominent aspect of sustainability that is practiced in religions. Some may argue that those groups do not respect and use the earth in a respectable way. Sustainability is a faith system within many religions, Christianity and Buddhism being a few. Christians are placed under a few main stereotypes, one being that they believe they are above nature, they do not pay close attention to it except when they need something from it. Lynn White writes about a man who was the governor of California and on behalf of the Christian tradition he said “when you’ve seen one redwood tree, you’ve seen them all.” White goes on to say that “a tree is no …show more content…

Kinsley writes “Buddhism themes might be understood as ecological or as encouraging ecological spirituality” (85). When one practices Buddhism they become one with the earth it is as if the rest of the world is gone. The practice of Buddhism relates to nature in a different way than most religions. Today if one were to go on a Buddhism retreat it would be in a secluded area surrounded by natural beauty, it would be just you and the untouched natural environment coming together in solitude. They believe in peace not harm; “we should deal with nature the way we should deal with ourselves! We should not harm ourselves; we should not harm nature. Harming nature us harming ourselves” (Kinsley, 89). When thinking about sustainably Buddhism probably does not come to one’s mind, but if you take a closer look into the practice of Buddhism one will see how they relate. Buddhism is a gentle religion they practice in no harm, with in that practice they include the earth. They only take what they need and no more, making as little of an indent in the environment as

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