Wild Mind, Wild Earth: Zen Wisdom and Poetry in a Time of Ecological Crisis

Instructor(s): David Hinton and William Edelglass

Program Description:

David Hinton’s work explores how the wisdom, poetry, and practice of Chinese Buddhism invite us to recognize the kinship of mind and nature, a relationship that must be reanimated if we are to address the intersecting ecological crises of our time. How classical Chinese Buddhism, especially Chan, and contemporary environmental thought flow together at this critical juncture in human history is at the heart of Hinton’s new book, Wild Mind, Wild Earth: Our Place in the Sixth Extinction. David will be joined in conversation by Buddhist scholar and environmental philosopher William Edelglass, Director of Studies at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.

About the Instructor(s):
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  David Hinton

  David Hinton has published many books of poetry, nonfiction, and translations of ancient Chinese poetry and philosophy. These books are all informed by an abiding interest in deep ecological thinking, in exploring the weave of consciousness and landscape. This work has earned wide acclaim and many national awards, and it can be visited at davidhinton.net.

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  William Edelglass

  William Edelglass is Director of Studies at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.  He also teaches at Smith College, where he is the Director of the Five College Tibetan Studies Program in India, and is adjunct professor at the Central University for Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, India.  His scholarship explores questions in Buddhist studies, environmental humanities, and philosophy.  William has practiced in several different Buddhist traditions and has taught widely in dharma centers, academia, as a wilderness guide, and in several Tibetan academic institutions in India.  William’s most recent book is The Routledge Handbook of Indian Buddhist Philosophy.