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South Asian Religions & Ecology
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 16 hours
  • Course by Yale University
  • Offered by

About

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 3 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 South Asian religions, philosophies, and practices of Hinduism, Jainism, Yoga, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Baha’i Faith. 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.

Modules

Overview of this Course: South Asian Religions and Ecology

    • 2 Videos
    • 3 Readings
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2 Videos

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

3 Readings

  • Course Rationale
  •  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 in India and Southeast Asia

    • 2 Videos
    • 5 Readings
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2 Videos

  • Sunil Amrith, “Environmental Challenges in India.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Prasenjit Duara, “Indigenous History and Environmental Movements in Asia.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Environmental Challenges in India"
  • India’s Environmental Challenges in 10 Images
  • How is India dealing with environmental risks and climate change?
  • Pre-video introduction: “Indigenous History and Environmental Movements in Asia"
  • (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: Introduction to South Asian Ecological Challenges and Religion and Ecology

1 Discussions

  • Module 2: Introduction to South Asian Ecological Challenges and Religion and Ecology

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 – Vedas: Ritual Chants and Sacrifice

    • 3 Videos
    • 5 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Lecture - Religious Ecology in the Vedas: Indus River Valley Civilization - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Religious Ecology in the Vedas: Fire, Sacrifice, and Cosmic Order - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Religious Ecology in the Vedas: Class, Sound, and Household Ritual - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Introduction to Vedas
  • The Importance of Religious Ecology in the Vedas
  • Selections from Vedic Hymns
  • Hinduism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

3.2 – Vedanta (Upanishads): Cosmology of Orienting, Grounding, Nurturing, and Transforming

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

  • Module 3: Hinduism and Ecology - From Vedas to Vedanta (Upanishads)

1 Discussions

  • Module 3: Hinduism and Ecology - From Vedas to Vedanta (Upanishads)

4 Videos

  • Lecture - Religious Cosmology in the Upanishads: Introduction - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Religious Cosmology in the Upanishads: From Rita to Brahman - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Religious Cosmology in the Upanishads: Asramas and Karma - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Religious Cosmology in the Upanishads: Renunciation and the Great Self - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  • Introduction to the Upanishads
  • Religious Cosmology: Interior Sacrifice in the Upanishads
  • Selections from the Upanishads
  • Resources on Hinduism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.1 – Bhagavad Gita: Yoga of Devotion in Hinduism

    • 1 Videos
    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • David Haberman, “Bhakti and Religious Environmentalism for the Yamuna River.” Interview by John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

7 Readings

  • Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
  • Pre-video introduction: “The Mahabharata”
  •  (Optional) Learn more about the Mahabharata film adaptation
  • Selections from the Bhagavad Gita
  •  Pre-video introduction: “Bhakti and Religious Environmentalism for the Yamuna River”
  •  (Optional) Hinduism: Devotional Love of the World
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.2 – Divine Person and Sacred Rivers in Hinduism

    • 5 Videos
    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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5 Videos

  • Lecture - Purity, Pollution, and Devotion: A Case Study of the Yamuna River - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Purity, Pollution, and Devotion: Conference in India - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Lecture - Purity, Pollution, and Devotion: Key Terms and Concepts - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Acharya Shrivasta Goswami, “Hindu Devotionalism and Religious Ecology at Krishna’s Birthplace.” Interview by John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker
  • Sunderlal Bahuguna, “From an Economic to an Ecological Movement”

7 Readings

  • Water, Wood, and Wisdom: Ecological Perspectives from the Hindu Traditions
  • Purity, Pollution, and Devotion in Hinduism and Ecology
  • Goddess of Love
  • Pre-video introduction: “Hindu Devotionalism and Religious Ecology at Krishna’s Birthplace”
  • Pre-video introduction: “India’s effort to clean up sacred but polluted Ganga River”
  • Pre-video introduction: “From an Economic to an Ecological Movement”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

4.3 – Hinduism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

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

  • Module 4: Hinduism and Loving Devotion (Bhakti) Toward Nature

1 Discussions

  • Module 4: Hinduism and Loving Devotion (Bhakti) in Practice

6 Readings

  • Gandhi’s Agrarian Legacy: Practicing Food, Justice, and Sustainability in India
  • Why Indian farmers’ protests are being called a “satyagraha”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Hinduism on Animals”
  • Hinduism and Biodiversity
  •  (Optional): Hinduism and Ecology conference at Govardhan Ecovillage
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.1 – Yoga Philosophy and Practice: Ecological Implications

    • 1 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Lecture - Introduction to Yoga - John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker

4 Readings

  • The Yoga Tradition
  • The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
  •  (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “Yoga and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.2 – Overview of Jainism and Ecology

    • 9 Readings
    • 2 Plugin
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9 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Introduction to Jainism”
  • The Jain Religion in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Jainism and Ecology
  • Their dream is for a world of nonviolence
  • (Optional) Gandhi and Jainism
  • (Optional) Jain Literature
  •  Pre-video introduction: “Interview on Practice as a Wandering Jain Monk”
  •  Resources on Jainism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

5.3 – Jainism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

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

  • Module 5: Yoga and Jainism - Detachment from and Affirmation of the World

1 Discussions

  • Module 5: Yoga and Jainism - Detachment from and Affirmation of the World

5 Readings

  • Pre-video introduction: “Life of Jain Monks (Glimpses)”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Jainism on Animals”
  • Biodiversity as Reflected in Jainism and the Ways of Its Protection
  •  (Optional) Jainism and Ecology: Nonviolence in the Web of Life
  •  (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.1 – Introduction to Buddhist Teachings and Ecology

    • 1 Videos
    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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1 Videos

  • Lecture - The Life of the Buddha and His Teachings - Mary Evelyn Tucker

7 Readings

  • Jataka Tales: The Birth Story of the Great Monkey
  • The Buddha triumphing over Mara
  • (Optional) Pre-video introduction: “The Story of the Bodhi Tree”
  • Introduction to the Dhammapada
  • Selections from “The Dhammapada”
  • (Optional) Basic Doctrines of Theravada Buddhism
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

6.2 – Buddhism Across Asia

    • 1 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 6: Buddhism and Ecology: The Interdependence of All Reality

1 Discussions

  • Module 6: Buddhism and Ecology: The Interdependence of All Reality

1 Videos

  • Lecture - Diverse Expressions of Buddhism in Art Across Asia - Mary Evelyn Tucker

4 Readings

  • Buddhism in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  •  Pre-video introduction: “Buddhism and Ecology”
  • (Optional) Buddhism: A Mixed Dharmic Bag: Debates about Buddhism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.1 – Buddhist Monks and Forest Protection in Southeast Asia

    • 5 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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5 Readings

  • “Buddhist monk ordains trees to help the environment”
  • Buddhist Environmental Imaginaries
  • Pre-video introduction: “Cambodian Monks ‘Ordain’ Trees in Anti-Logging Effort”
  • Resources on Buddhism and Ecology
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.2 – Interbeing and Interdependence

    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Plugin
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4 Readings

  • Svaha!
  • Pre-video introduction: “Moving Beyond the Idea of “Environment”
  • Thích Nhất Hạnh on The Practice of Mindfulness
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

7.3 – Buddhism: Food, Animals, and Biodiversity

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

  • Module 7: Buddhism in Southeast Asia: Engaged Conservation

1 Discussions

  • Module 7: Buddhism in Southeast Asia: Engaged Conservation

3 Videos

  • Guest Lecture - Religious Ecology in Shantideva's Bodhicharyāvatāra - Matthew Blake
  • Guest Lecture - Buddhist Agricultural Rituals in Upcountry Sri Lanka - Sam King
  • Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, “Climate Change and Food Security in the Himalayas.” Interview by Mary Evelyn Tucker

5 Readings

  •  Pre-video introduction: “Animals and the Buddha”
  • Buddha and the Beasts
  • Vegetarianism as Practice
  • Pre-video introduction: “Climate Change and Food Security in the Himalayas”
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.1 – Sikhism: Overview of Theology and Practice

    • 8 Readings
    • 4 Plugin
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8 Readings

  •  Pre-video introduction: “Sikhism Introduction”
  • Environmental Theology in Sikhism
  • Pre-video introduction: “What does the Sikh tradition have to say about the environment?”
  • The Sikh Religion in “Faith for Earth: A Call for Action”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Sikhism on Animals”
  • Pre-video introduction: “Guru Nanak Sacred Forest in Defense to India’s Extreme Pollution”
  • Resources on Sikhism and Ecology
  •  (Optional) Ways to Learn More

8.2 – Baha’i Faith: Integrated Knowledge and Ecological Balance

    • 7 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 2 Plugin
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Module 8: Sikhism and the Baha’i Faith: Unity of Spirit and Matter

1 Discussions

  • Module 8: Sikhism and the Baha’i Faith: Unity of Spirit and Matter

7 Readings

  • Bahá’ís of India
  • Pre-video introduction: “Behind the Baha’i Faith, one of the fastest growing religions”
  • The Baha’i Faith in "Faith for Earth: A Call for Action"
  • Pre-video introduction: "The Baha’i Worldview"
  • Overview of Baha’i Faith and Ecology
  • Resources on the Baha’i Faith
  • (Optional) Ways to Learn More

Congratulations

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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1 Videos

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

1 Readings

  • Letter from Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim

Auto Summary

Discover the intricate connections between South Asian religions and ecology in this comprehensive course, guided by esteemed instructors from Yale. Delve into Hinduism, Jainism, Yoga, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Baha’i Faith, and explore their ecological contributions. Designed for lifelong learners, environmental professionals, and non-profit workers, this foundational course spans 960 minutes and is part of a five-course specialization. Available through Coursera with a Starter subscription, it offers a unique perspective on fostering ecological justice through religious traditions.

Mary Evelyn Tucker
Instructors

Mary Evelyn Tucker

John Grim
Instructors

John Grim