Buddhism and the Ecology in the Digital Age

Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities, Vol.10, No.2, 2017, pp. 40-53.

Abstract

The modern day ecological crisis characterized by increasing human estrangement

from the natural environment has the potential to be exacerbated in the digital age, in which

human beings become more preoccupied with cyberspace at the detriment of the physical

and natural environment. Age old religious traditions, in particular Buddhism, are asked to

address the ecological issues in this new social milieu in order to contribute to solving the

crisis. Buddhism as a religion that historically has been able to adapt to technological changes

and employ technology in the spreading of its teachings is in a good position to speak to

this issue. However, in order to make an effective contribution, Buddhism should not only

examine fundamental Buddhist teachings that promote healthy human-nature relationship,

but also undergo the threefold process of retrieval, reevaluation and reconstruction in order

to make itself relevant to the new social context.

Keywords: Buddhism, environmental crisis, digital age, digital era, technological nature

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