East Asian Religions and Ecology: Nature's Spiritual Ties
Discover how East Asian religions address environmental issues in this Yale course on ecological spirituality.
Discover how East Asian religions address environmental issues in this Yale course on ecological spirituality.
Delve into the rich ecological dimensions of East Asian religions in this comprehensive course from Yale University. Led by experts Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, this course explores how Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and Korean Shamanism view and interact with the natural world. You'll examine key concepts like the Dao, Buddhist interdependence, and Shinto purification rituals, and how they relate to modern environmental challenges. The course covers historical teachings and their contemporary applications, from China's "ecological civilization" to engaged Buddhist environmental leadership. Through case studies, interviews with scholars and practitioners, and analysis of religious texts and rituals, you'll gain a deep understanding of how East Asian spiritual traditions can contribute to addressing global ecological issues. Ideal for those interested in comparative religion, environmental studies, or seeking faith-based approaches to sustainability.
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What you'll learn
Understand the ecological dimensions of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and Korean Shamanism
Analyze key East Asian religious texts and concepts related to nature and ecology
Explore the concept of "ecological civilization" and its roots in Chinese thought
Examine contemporary applications of East Asian religious principles to environmental issues
Investigate Buddhist engaged ecology and leadership in environmental movements
Analyze Daoist and Confucian approaches to harmony with nature and environmental ethics
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
2 Hours PreRecorded video
8 assignments
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There are 10 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the ecological dimensions of East Asian religions. It begins with an overview of contemporary environmental issues in East Asia and the concept of "ecological civilization" in China. The curriculum then delves into the ecological aspects of major East Asian traditions: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and Korean Shamanism. For Confucianism, it examines the interconnection of self, society, and nature, and its modern applications to environmental ethics. In Daoism, it explores the concept of Dao and practices that cultivate harmony with nature. The Buddhist section focuses on the principle of interdependence and engaged environmental leadership in various schools. Shinto and Korean Shamanism are examined for their ritualistic approaches to nature and healing. Throughout, the course emphasizes how these ancient traditions offer relevant insights for addressing current ecological challenges. It includes case studies of contemporary religious environmentalism, discussions of texts and practices, and explorations of how these traditions approach issues like biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable living.
Course Introduction
Module 1 · 49 Minutes to complete
Overview of Contemporary Ecological Issues and Religious Environmentalism
Module 2 · 2 Hours to complete
Introduction and Overview: Confucianism and Ecology
Module 3 · 2 Hours to complete
Confucianism and Ecology into the Present
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
Introduction and Overview: Daoism and Ecology
Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete
Daoism and Ecology into the Present
Module 6 · 2 Hours to complete
Buddhism and Ecology: The Interdependence of Reality
Module 7 · 2 Hours to complete
East Asian Buddhism: Engaged Ecological Leadership
Module 8 · 3 Hours to complete
Ecological Rituals in Japanese Shinto and Korean Shamanism
Module 9 · 2 Hours to complete
Course Conclusion
Module 10 · 6 Minutes to complete
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Instructors
Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
John Grim is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University, with appointments in the School of the Environment, Divinity School, and Department of Religious Studies. He co-directs the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology with his wife, Mary Evelyn Tucker. Together, they directed a major project on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard and co-authored several influential works, including *Ecology and Religion* (2014) and *Thomas Berry: A Biography* (2019). Grim teaches courses on Native American and Indigenous religions, world religions, and ecology, and co-produced the Emmy-winning film *Journey of the Universe*.
Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Scholar
Mary Evelyn Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University, affiliated with the School of the Environment, the Divinity School, and the Department of Religious Studies. She teaches in the Master's program in religion and ecology and co-directs the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology with her husband, John Grim. Tucker holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in Asian Religions, particularly Japanese Confucianism, and has been a Research Associate at Harvard's Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies since 1997.Her work focuses on the intersection of religion and environmental issues, leading her to organize a series of ten conferences on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard from 1995 to 1998. Tucker has co-edited several influential volumes on ecological perspectives within major world religions and has authored numerous articles on social and environmental determinants of health. She is also known for her multimedia project "Journey of the Universe," which includes an Emmy award-winning film and educational resources aimed at fostering ecological awareness
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4.9 course rating
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