Religions push to address environmental issues

So there is something we can all agree on...

Leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha'i, Jain and Zoroastrian faiths called on G20 nations to cut greenhouse gases.

They said climate change posed a "very real threat to the world's poor".

Their joint call at a meeting at Lambeth Palace in London precedes the Copenhagen summit which aims to deliver a new global climate treaty.

In a statement, the religious leaders urged G20 governments to fight for a deal which would quickly end global reliance on fossil fuels.

Read full article.

Image from BBC News.

Spring Break: Summer in Thailand

Hi there UBA friends,

We hope you're enjoying the break so far! This is just a quick note to let you know of a great travel study opportunity for students wishing to get away this summer. Here is the forwarded message:

***

Hi all Dharma friends at the UBA,

I wanted to let you all know about a program I've developed on Sustainability in Thailand, Thailand Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems. Do you want to learn about Dharma practice in Buddhist Thailand? While our program does not focus on Buddhism directly, taking part in the 5 week summer program provides an authentic experience and insight into Buddhist life.

Please let me know your interest or any questions you may have.

Cheers,

Michael Silverman, Ph.D.
Lecturer, Institute of the Environment
300 La Kretz Hall, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1496
silvermanmc@ucla.edu

***
Registration ends April 15th, and financial aid may still be available to those who sign up pretty soon. Here's the link for more
information: http://www.ieo.ucla.edu/travelstudy/IOE-Thailand/overview.htm.

See you next week when we start up again in the spring!

Darwin and Religion

Feb. 12, 2009, the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin

"Charles Darwin is widely praised by atheists for the way his theory of evolution denies the existence of God. For the same reason he's vilified by conservative religious people.

There is just one problem with the opinions of these opposing camps: They're not exactly based on what Darwin said. The pioneering 19th-century biologist actually confessed that evolution placed him in a "hopeless muddle" about the concept of God.

Church-going Darwin did, indeed, end up rejecting traditional 19th-century views of an Almighty Christian God. He could not accept that an all-powerful Being would willingly cause, as he said, a cat to cruelly play with a mouse."

Read full article.

Termites build Buddha-shaped nests

People in Cambodia have discovered five oddly shaped termite nests in the form of a seated Buddha figures.

"The iconic insect homes appeared on the cement floor of 56-year-old Kuong Keo Ry's house near Phnom Penh, shortly before a traditional death festival held in October when she was mourning her late husband.

'I am happy that my house has been chosen. After other people and I pay respect to the Buddha shapes, we all feel content,' the widow told AFP by telephone.

She said she first became curious about the nests in October because she would sweep them away every day -- but that the wood-munching bugs would rebuild them overnight."

Eco-friendly Fish

As many Buddhists keep to vegetarian diets, many also do not. For those that don't, how can we contribute to helping the Earth as much as possible even by consuming meats?

The Environmental Defense Fund provides two great articles with information on the ten eco-best and eco-worst fish to eat. They provide information on the source of the fish, the capture methods, how it affects the environment, and how it affects your own health. Many of the non eco-friendly fish have high PCB and mercury levels that can be harmful to one's health. Here are the links to the two articles:

Ten Eco-Best Fish

Ten Eco-Worst Fish

More information on smart seafood choices