Responsible Living, a collection of essays which use Buddhist texts and academic resources to analyze problems in today's world. Topics include pollution, animal cruelty, genetically modified foods, and our addictions to digital and social media. Author Ron Epstein describes how outer environmental and social problems mirror humanity's inner struggle with selfishness, greed, and desire. By connecting Buddhist concepts such as compassion, causation, and moral precepts to these issues, this collection of essays provides guidance to for ethical conduct in today's world.
Responsible Living: Explorations in Applied Buddhist Ethics-Animals, Environment, GMOs, Digital Media, Ron Epstein, Buddhist Text Translation Society, Paperback,198 pages, $12.00
Ron is a retired professor of Buddhist Studies, one of the founders of Dharma Realm Buddhist University at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Talmage, and a community advocate in Ukiah and Mendocino County.
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CONTENTS: Responsible Living: Explorations in Applied Buddhist Ethics-Animals, Environment, GMOs, Digital Media
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Foreword by
Ajan Pasanno
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vii
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Preface by
Ron Epstein
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xi
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Acknowledgments
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xv
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1.
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The Inner Ecology: Buddhist Ethics and Practice
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1
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2.
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A Buddhist Perspective on Animal Rights
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5
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3.
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Pollution and the Environment: Some Radically new Ancient Views
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11
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4.
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Animals for Dinner: A Karmic Tale
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20
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5.
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Our Relationship with Nature: A Buddhist Exploration
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22
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6.
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Environmental Issues: A Buddhist Perspective
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30
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7.
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Human Spiritual Potential and the Environmental Crisis
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34
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8.
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The Need for Ethical Guidelines to Protect Us from the Technological World
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40
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9.
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Looking at Hi-Tech through the Lens of the Five Moral Precepts
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49
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10.
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Science and Buddhism: A Critical Comparison
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61
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11.
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Genetic Engineering: A Buddhist Assessment
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81
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12.
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Redesigning the World: Ethical Questions about Genetic Engineering
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90
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13.
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Some Ethical Challenges Posed by the Internet and Digital Social Media: A Buddhist Perspective
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110
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14.
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Where are We Going--Digitally?
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143
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Endnotes
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145
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About the Author
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179
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