Environmental Ethics in Buddhism presents a logical and thorough examination of the metaphysical and ethical dimensions of early Buddhist literature. The author determines the meaning of nature in the early Buddhist context from general Buddhist teachings on dhamma, paticcasamuppada, samsara and the cosmogony of the Agganna Sutta. Consequently the author shows that early Buddhism can be understood as an environmental virtue ethics. To illustrate this dimension, the Jatakas are used as a source. These are a collection of over five hundred folk tales, which also belong to early Buddhist literature. This work presents an innovative approach to the subject, which puts forward a distinctly Buddhist environmental ethics that is in harmony with traditional teachings as well as adaptable and flexible in addressing environmental problems.

Environmental Ethics in Buddhism A Virtues Approach, Pragati Sahni, RoutledgeCurzon, Paperback, 204 Pages, $44.95

Pragati Sahni received her PhD from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She currently teaches in the Department of Philosophy. Lady Shri Ram College at the University of Delhi.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Approaches to Buddhist Environmentalism
Chapter 2: Redefining Foundations
Chapter 3: Nature, Value and the Status of Man
Chapter 4: Environmental Virtue Ethics in the Nikayas
Chapter 5: Environmental Ethics in the Jatakas: Possibility or Paradox?
Conclusion