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East Asian Religions & Ecology
  • Level Foundation
  • المدة 22 ساعات hours
  • الطبع بواسطة Yale University
  • Offered by

عن

At first glance the fields of religion and ecology may seem and unlikely pairing, but a deeper consideration reveals the two have a great deal to contribute to one another and are indeed inextricably linked. Religions recognize the unity and interdependence of humans with nature. Ecological sciences affirm this deep interconnection with the natural world. This partnership can inspire work for the wellbeing of the Earth community There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This specialization, "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community", contributes such a perspective. Each course celebrates the vitality of religiously-informed action for the Earth and recognizes the longstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples in offering visions and practices for ecological flourishing. This course is part 4 of 5 of the "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community" specialization that focuses on the ecological dimensions of religious traditions throughout the world. The course you are about to begin is designed as a gateway to these aspects of the East Asian religions, philosophies, and practices of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and Shamanism. So much has emerged in the last several decades in this area, as you will see. While we have taught this course at Yale, we have adapted it for learners from a wide range of backgrounds. This course is for lifelong learners curious to know more about world religions and ecology, environmental professionals eager to deepen the discourse of environmental protection and conservation, those working with non-profit organizations and NGOs on issues of ecological justice, and religion leaders and laity who wish to know how they can contribute to interreligious dialogue on environmental projects.

الوحدات

Overview of this Course: East Asian Religions and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Land Acknowledgement - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Course Overview: East Asian Religions and Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

3 Readings

  • Welcome letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
  • How this course is organized
  • Disclaimer

Get to know your Instructors and the Environmental Context

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Discussions

  • Module 1: Course Introduction

2 Videos

  • Personal Introduction - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Personal Introduction - John Grim

4 Readings

  • Learn more about your Instructors
  • (Optional) Religion and Ecology Conferences and Book Series, 1996-1998
  • Pre-video introduction: The Promise of Planetary Health
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

2.1 – Environmental Challenges and Religious Revival in China

    • 3 Videos
    • 8 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Guest Lecture - Modern Chinese Environmental Challenges - Cheng Li
  • Mayfair Yang, “Religious Environmentalism in China.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • (Optional) Annping Chin, “Revival of Confucianism in Contemporary China.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

8 Readings

  • China and the environment: A decade in review
  • (Optional) China Dialogue
  • Resource Environment Guide for East Asia
  • The Challenge of Creating “Ecological Civilization” in China
  • Pre-video introduction: “Religious Environmentalism in China”
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Revival of Confucianism in Contemporary China” 
  • China: Landscapes, Cultures, Ecologies, Religions
  •  (Optional) Ways to Learn More

2.2 – The Study of Religion and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 2: Contemporary Ecological Issues and Religious Environmentalism

1 Discussions

  • Module 2: Overview of Contemporary Ecological Issues and Religious Environmentalism

2 Videos

  • Lecture - What is Religion? - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Introduction to the Study of Religion and Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

3 Readings

  • Pre-lecture introduction: “Introduction to the Study of Religion and Ecology”
  • (Optional) The Movement of Religion and Ecology: Emerging Field and Dynamic Force
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.1 – Confucianism: Interrelation of Cosmos, Earth, and Humans

    • 4 Videos
    • 10 Readings
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4 Videos

  • Lecture - Confucian Worldview: From Concentric Circles to Communal Ritual - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Confucian Worldview: From Education to Cosmological Integration - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Annping Chin, “Life of Confucius and the Influence of the Analects.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Annping Chin, “Commentary on Passages in the Analects.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

10 Readings

  • “Confucian Teaching - Three Confucian Values: Filial Piety (Xiao)”
  • (Optional) Understanding “Religion” in Context
  • (Optional) The Chinese Cosmos: Basic Concepts
  • (Optional) Sanjiao: The Three Teachings
  • Confucianism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • (Optional) Confucian Environmental Virtue Ethics
  • Pre-video introduction: “Life of Confucius and the Influence of the Analects”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Commentary on Passages in the Analects”
  • Selections from “Analects” and “Mencius”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.2 – Continuity of Being: Interconnection of All Things

    • 3 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 3: Introduction and Overview: Confucianism and Ecology

1 Discussions

  • Module 3: Introduction and Overview: Confucianism and Ecology

3 Videos

  • Lecture - What is Confucianism? - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Early Confucian Texts as a Religious Ecology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Neo-Confucian Texts as a Religious Cosmology - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

6 Readings

  • Selections from Early Confucian Texts
  • Selected Neo-Confucian Readings
  • The Continuity of Being: Chinese Visions of Nature
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Chinese Garden Court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art”
  • The Role of Stone
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.1 – Creating Community for the Common Good

    • 3 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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3 Videos

  • Lecture - What is Confucian Spirituality? - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Jonathan Lee, “Reflections on Ch’i/Qi: Meditations in the Garden”
  • Lecture - Summary: Concentric Circles, Historical Periods, Cosmology - Mary Evelyn Tucker

6 Readings

  • Confucianism as Grounding in Community
  • Pre-video introduction: “A Confucian Life in America”
  • Selection from Neo-Confucian Thinker: Wang Yang Ming
  •  Pre-video introduction: “Reflections on Ch’i/Qi: Meditations in the Garden”
  • Resources on Confucianism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.2 – Confucianism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 4: Confucianism and Ecology into the Present

1 Discussions

  • Module 4: Confucianism and Ecology into the Present

7 Readings

  • Confucius Never Shot a Bird at Rest: Humans and Animals in the Classical Confucian Tradition
  •  Of Animals and Humans: The Confucian Perspective
  • (Optional) Response to “Of Animals and Man: The Confucian Perspective”
  • (Optional) Selections from Mencius: “Empathy with Animals”
  • Sustainability from a Confucian Perspective
  • (Optional) Confucianism, food, and sustainability
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.1 – Dao as the Way of the Natural World

    • 2 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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2 Videos

  • Lecture - Dao as Way: Laozi and the Daodejing - John Grim
  • Chen Xia, “Daoism and Ecological Civilization in China.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

6 Readings

  • Daoism and Ecology
  • Pre-video introduction: “Daoism and Ecological Civilization in China”
  • Daoism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Daoism and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Defining “Daoism”: A Complex History
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.2 – Daoism and the Inner Landscape

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 5: Introduction and Overview: Daoism and Ecology

1 Discussions

  • Module 5: Introduction and Overview: Daoism and Ecology

3 Videos

  • Lecture - Comparison of Confucianism and Daoism - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Readings from Daoist Scriptures: Laozi - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Readings from Daoist Scriptures: Zhuangzi - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

4 Readings

  • Selections from Daodejing
  • Non-Action and the Environment Today
  • Selection from Zhuangzi
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.1 – From Scriptures and Texts to Rituals and Transformation

    • 4 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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4 Videos

  • Lecture - Schools of Daoism into the Present: Key Terms and Concepts - John Grim
  • (Optional) Lecture - Schools of Daoism into the Present: Ordination, Visualization, and Meditation - John Grim
  • Livia Kohn, “Ecological Dimensions of Daoism.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • James Miller, “Daoist Embodiment and Inner Cultivation.” Interview by John Grim

8 Readings

  • Reconstructing Taoism’s Transformation in China
  • Pre-video introduction: “Ecological Dimensions of Daoism”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Luo Tian Da Jiao”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Daoist Embodiment and Inner Cultivation”
  • (Optional) Envisioning the Daoist Body in the Economy of Cosmic Power
  • (Optional) China’s Green Religion: Daoism and the Quest for a Sustainable Future
  • Resources on Daoism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.2 – Daoism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 6: Daoism and Ecology into the Present

1 Discussions

  • Module 6: Daoism and Ecology into the Present

5 Readings

  • Daosim in “Faith in Food”
  • The Great Unity: Daoism, Nonhuman Animals, and Human Ethics
  • (Optional) Daoism and Animals
  • The Nature Sanctuaries of Daoism
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.1 – Introduction to Buddhist Teachings and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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2 Videos

  • Lecture - The Life of the Buddha and His Teachings - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Diverse Expressions of Buddhism in Art Across Asia - Mary Evelyn Tucker

4 Readings

  • The Buddha triumphing over Mara
  • Buddhism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Buddhism and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.2 – Buddhist Schools in East Asia

    • 4 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 7: Buddhism and Ecology: The Interdependence of Reality

1 Discussions

  • Module 7: Buddhism and Ecology: The Interdependence of Reality

4 Videos

  • Lecture - Buddhist Schools and Scriptures: Introduction - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Buddhist Schools and Scriptures: T’ien t'ai and the Lotus Sutra - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Buddhist Schools and Scriptures: Hua Yen, Pure Land, and Vajrayana - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Buddhist Schools and Scriptures: Ch’an and Zen - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Selections from the “Lotus Sutra”
  • (Optional) Buddhism: The Imported Tradition
  •  Interbeing
  • (Optional) Buddhism: A Mixed Dharmic Bag: Debates about Buddhism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.1 – Engaged Buddhist Environmentalism

    • 6 Readings
    • 3 Plugin
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6 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Venerable Dr. Yifa on the climate emergency”  
  • Pre-video introduction: “Faith for Nature: Multi-Faith Action, Venerable Master Shih Cheng Yen”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Faith and the fight against climate change, Part 2”
  • (Optional) Buddhist Contributions to Climate Response
  • (Optional) The black oak is a bodhisattva
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2 – Tibetan Buddhism and Ecology: Compassion and Conservation

    • 3 Videos
    • 9 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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3 Videos

  • Dan Smyer Yu, “Tibetan Buddhism and Religious Environmentalism in the Himalayas.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • (Optional) Dan Smyer Yu and Pema Tashi, “Embrace”
  • Dekila Chungyalpa, “Wisdom, Compassion, and Environmental Practices in Tibetan Buddhism.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

9 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Our Only Home”
  • The Dalai Lama on the Environment
  • Walking the Path of Environmental Buddhism
  •  (Optional) Pre-video Introduction: The Karmapa on the Environment
  • Pre-video introduction: “Tibetan Buddhism and Religious Environmentalism in the Himalayas”
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Embrace”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Wisdom, Compassion, and Environmental Practices in Tibetan Buddhism”
  • (Optional) Sacred Earth
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.3 – East Asian Buddhism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

    • 1 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 8: East Asian Buddhism: Engaged Ecological Leadership

1 Discussions

  • Module 8: East Asian Buddhism: Engaged Ecological Leadership

1 Videos

  • Guest Lecture - Adventures on the Roof of the World: The Quest for Human-Wildlife Coexistence - Gao Yufang

6 Readings

  •  Pre-video introduction: “Buddhism on Animals”
  • Relieving the suffering of animals: the Gyalwang Karmapa Instigates a Second Animal Camp in Bodhgaya
  • Pre-video introduction: “Adventures on the Roof of the World: The Quest for Human-Wildlife Coexistence”
  • (Optional) Buddhist Monks are Champions of Snow Leopard Conservation
  • Buddhism and Biodiversity
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

9.1 – Shinto and Ecology in Japan: Tradition and Celebration

    • 3 Videos
    • 9 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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3 Videos

  • Lecture - Gion Matsuri: A Ritual of Pollution and Purification - Mary Evelyn Tucker.
  • Lecture - Kurozumikyō: A Shinto Tradition Oriented Toward the Sun - Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Munemichi Kurozumi, “Kurozumikyō and the Ecological Dimensions of Shinto.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

9 Readings

  • Shinto in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Shinto and Ecology: Practice and Orientations to Nature
  • Pre-lecture introduction: “Gion Matsuri: A Ritual of Pollution and Purification”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto”
  • Mt. Shinto, Okayama
  • On the Mind
  •  Pre-video Introduction: “Kurozumikyō and the Ecological Dimensions of Shinto”
  • Resources on Shinto and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

9.2 – Shamanism and Ecology in Korea: Rituals of Healing and Divination

    • 1 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 9: Ecological Rituals in Japanese Shinto and Korean Shamanism

1 Discussions

  • Module 9: Ecological Rituals in Japanese Shinto and Korean Shamanism

1 Videos

  • Lecture - Korean Shamanism and Ecology - John Grim.

5 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Shamanistic Rituals of the Korean Peninsula”  
  • “Chaesu Kut”: A Korean Shamanistic Performance
  • Pre-video introduction: "Shaman of the Sea"
  • In 21st-century Korea, shamanism is not only thriving - but evolving
  •  (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Congratulations

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Course Conclusion: East Asian Religions & Ecology - Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

1 Readings

  • Letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

Auto Summary

Discover the interconnectedness of East Asian religions and ecology in this engaging course led by Yale experts. Delve into Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, and Shamanism, exploring their ecological dimensions and contributions. Ideal for lifelong learners, environmental professionals, NGO workers, and religious leaders, this course offers profound insights into ecological justice and interreligious dialogue. Available on Coursera with flexible subscription options, the 1320-minute foundation-level course is part of the "Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community" specialization.

Mary Evelyn Tucker
Instructors

Mary Evelyn Tucker

John Grim
Instructors

John Grim