Anthony Le Duc. Buddhist Environmental Humanism: Doing Good for Self and Others - Book Review

There have been many attempts to use philosophy, or even religious teachings, to develop ecological ethics.In today's society, wherein consumerism and a technocratic paradigm loom and damage the common home, it is important to look at these attempts in order to foster a society that cares to do good for the community and the common abode.Within this context, Fr.Anthony Le Duc's book offers a fresh perspective on bridging Buddhist thoughts and ecological concerns.In Buddhist Environmental Humanism: Doing Good for Self and Others, Anthony Le Duc offers a timely and thought-provoking exploration of how Theravda Buddhism, interpreted through the lens of religious humanism, can meaningfully engage the pressing ecological crisis of the Anthropocene.Building on a deep engagement with classical Buddhist teachings, contemporary environmental philosophy, and interreligious dialogue, the book charts a compelling path from individual self-cultivation to global ecological transformation.Le Duc's argument is as spiritually grounded as it is ethically urgent: addressing environmental degradation requires external, policy-driven solutions and a profound inner transformation rooted in moral and spiritual development.The book begins with a vivid, real-world illustration: the 2024 flooding in northern Thailand, where monastic communities were caught in rising waters, becoming both victims of and responders to ecological disaster.This sets the stage for Le Duc's primary thesis: the ecological crisis is not merely technical or political but profoundly moral and spiritual.The Anthropocene, marked by unprecedented human impact on Earth's ecosystems, reveals not just a climate emergency but a deeper crisis of values and human purpose.Chapter 1 outlines this context, combining scientific data with reflections from figures like the Dalai Lama and Yuval Harari.Le Duc argues that we need more than technological innovation; we need a new ecological conscience.Religion-especially Buddhism-can play a critical role in shaping this conscience by transforming how we relate to ourselves, each other, and nature.Central to Le Duc's approach is "Buddhist Environmental Humanism."Drawing from both religious and secular traditions of humanism, Le Duc reclaims the term for Buddhist ethics.He defines Buddhist humanism as a religious humanism rooted in the Buddhist vision of human flourishing, not through material gain or divine