July 2004 Issue
Meditation on a Coke Can by Elliott Zimmermann
How do the products of our modern industrial culture interact with our environment? In this article Elliott Zimmermann shows that Buddhist concepts of awareness, impermanence and interconnectedness can complement environmental engineering analytic tools such as "sources", "sinks", and differential equations to gain better insight into how we can live in better harmony with their environment.
Thorough Thinking by Irene Goto
Kids’ Corner presents ecology from a Buddhist perspective especially for kids. In this issue: A "thorough thinking" Jataka tale tells of a tree sprite who banishes a lion and tiger from a wood. Jataka tales appear in the second basket, Sutta Pitaka, of the “three baskets,” Tipitaka.
Thinking Beyond Dewey by Rev. Don Castro
Ever wonder why America struggles to make progress on environmental issues? In this article, Rev. Don Castro argues that, thanks to John Dewey, we've actually educated generations of children to exploit the environment. What's the solution? An ecological curriculum...and the wisdom of a few lines from the Dhammapada.
Review of Paul Ehlrich's book "Human Natures" by Ben Shimbo
Ben Shimbo's review of Human Nature analyzes Paul Ehrilch's claim that the evolutionary developement of the Western European culture has lead to the U.S. culture of extravagance. And for Ehrlich, this American obsession with consumption is the root of the ecological dilemma that we are faced with today.
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