Section Article

The Intersection of Buddhism and Environmental Studies
Author(s): Samay Raina

Abstract
Environmental challenges such as global warming species extinction climate instability deforestation land degradation and resource depletion have emerged as defining global crises shaping the twenty-first century. Scholars environmentalists policymakers and philosophers worldwide now acknowledge that solving ecological problems requires not only technological advancement and scientific knowledge but also deeper ethical transformation. Among the philosophical and spiritual frameworks explored for ecological inspiration Buddhism has increasingly gained prominence especially in contemporary environmental humanities discourse prior to 2021. Buddhist doctrines such as interconnectedness (pratītyasamutpāda) non-harm (ahiṃsā) compassion (karuṇā) mindfulness (sati) and non-attachment (aparigraha) have been analyzed as potential ethical catalysts for environmental consciousness and sustainable living. The integration of Buddhist perspectives with environmental studies has expanded significantly in academic literature institutional programs and applied environmental activism worldwide.