Faith in Conservation New Approaches to Religions and the Environment

by Palmer, Martin; Finlay, Victoria

• ISBN13: 9780821355596
• ISBN10: 0821355597
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-08-03
• Publisher: World Bank Publications

Summary

This book draws extensively upon joint World Bank and ARC (Alliance of Religion and Conservation) /WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) projects world wide. It shows, through stories, land management, myths, investment policies, legends, advocacy and celebration, the role the major faiths have, do and can play in making the world a better place.The major faiths are the oldest institutions in the world and have survived essentially because they are constantly evolving and changing. There is much to be learnt by newer institutions such as the World Bank and the multitudes of NGOs about how to remain true to what you believe but change and grow as you develop. The book explores issues of climate change, forestry, asset management, education and biodiversity protection and does so using the techniques of the great faiths - storytelling, example and celebration. It reveals a variety of world views and it asks us to see that our personal view may be just one amongst many.The challenge of living with integrity in a pluralist world underlies the book and it offers models of how diversity is crucial in attempting to ensure we have a sustainable world

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xvii
Part 1 Worlds of Difference
1. Changing Worlds	3	(12)
Whose world?	5	(1)
Two versions of a forest	6	(3)
Seeing many truths	9	(2)
Constructing a future	11	(1)
The World Bank and other faiths	12	(3)
2. How Did We Get Here?	15	(8)
One world, many worlds	17	(3)
Looking anew at old beliefs	20	(3)
3. Changing Minds	23	(14)
Saving tigers with philosophy	25	(2)
Telling wonder-ful stories	27	(2)
Long-distance thinking	29	(2)
Work with what you have; perhaps it is enough	31	(1)
Finding allies	32	(1)
Protect the earth--and ourselves	33	(4)
4. Investing in the Future	37	(12)
Discovering spiritual currency	39	(2)
International interfaith investment	41	(2)
Saving the vultures	43	(1)
The lost sutras of Mongolia	44	(2)
The pagodas of Cambodia	46	(1)
The biodiversity of beliefs	47	(2)
5. Celebrating the Environment	49	(18)
The secrets to success	49	(1)
The importance of telling tales	50	(2)
Muhammad and the river	52	(1)
Krishna and the serpent	52	(1)
The importance of images and beauty	53	(1)
An Orthodox icon	54	(3)
A Buddhist mandala	57	(1)
Quiet and special places	58	(2)
Missionaries and pilgrims	60	(1)
Cycles and celebrations	61	(6)
Part 2 The Faith Statements on Ecology
6. Introduction	67	(4)
7. Baha'i Faith	71	(6)
Baha'i teachings on conservation and sustainable development	71	(5)
In conclusion	76	(1)
8. Buddhism	77	(6)
Buddhism as an ecological religion or a religious ecology	78	(5)
9. Christianity	83	(4)
10. Daoism	87	(4)
Daoist ideas about nature	88	(3)
11. Hinduism	91	(6)
Sustaining the balance-Swami Vibudhesha Teertha	91	(3)
Sacrifice and protection-Dr. Sheshagiri Rao	94	(1)
Breaking the family-Shrivatsa Goswami	95	(2)
12. Islam	97	(10)
Islam and conservation	99	(6)
Conclusion	105	(2)
13. Jainism	107	(4)
Jain practices	107	(1)
Jain beliefs	108	(3)
14. Judaism	111	(16)
Three things that grant man tranquility	112	(1)
One who threw stones into the public domain	113	(1)
Protection of the environment and the love of man	113	(1)
Protecting nature	114	(6)
Beauty	120	(1)
Current activities	121	(1)
Summary	122	(3)
Harmony in four parts	125	(2)
15. Shintoism	127	(4)
Karni of Shinto	127	(1)
Suggestions from Shinto	128	(3)
16. Sikhism	131	(14)
The three postulates	133	(3)
Practicing the philosophy	136	(5)
Conclusion	141	(1)
Appendixes	142	(3)
17. Zoroastrianism	145	(4)
Glossary	149	(4)
Selected Bibliography	153	(4)
About the Authors	157	(2)
Index	159