Eco - Concerns in Indian Religious Traditions (Inter - Religious Cooperation Towards Healthy Environment)

Eco-Concerns in Indian Religious Traditions attempts to study systematically concepts like ecology, environment, eco-crisis, eco-sophy, eco-spirituality and particularly eco concerns from Indian socio-religious context.

It reviews critically "Environmental Issues in India" identifying reasons for environmental degradation. This book basically focuses on a systematic study for resources from major Indian Religious Traditions and to develop eco-spirituality in order to promote a healthy environment in India.

This book also deals with "Prominent Ecological Movements in India" and "Contributions of Ecologically Enlightened". Finally, Interreligious cooperation for maintaining the ecological balance for the welfare of all life through partnerships, forums and networks is rightly emphasised. This book is written to meet the needs of students of ecology and very particularly lovers of environment.

Prof. Rev. Dr. T. Swami Raju hails from Andhra Pradesh and has earned B.Sc., M.A (Eng), B.D., M.Th., M.A (Phil), and D.Th degrees. He is presently working as Professor in Religions at ACTC, Hyderabad.

His major literary contributions are: Na Prabhuvu-Nenu: Sajeeva Sakshayam (My Lord and I: Living Testimony): Bharatavanilo Adhunika Chaitanya Udyamalu (Modern Renaissant Movements in India); The Study of Religion: Methods and Perspectives, Seventy three pages Appendix in Manamathamulu Mukhya Lakshnamulu of Dr. Eric J. Lott; Vira Cult in Folk Religion of Guntur District: A Dalit Perspective, Bahulamata Bharatadesamulo Kristhava Sakshyam (Christian Witness in Pluralistic India); Christian Responses to Plurality of Religion; Parishodhana mariyu Rachana Padhtulu (Research and Writing Methods); Vivekananduni Naveena Vedantam (Neo- Vedanta of Vivekananda); Chennakesava Cult and Dalits; Manava Arogyam mariyu Kristhava Daivasasthra Prathyutharam (Human Health and Christian Theological Response); Adhunika Tharaniki Telugulo Bible Bhashyam (Bible Commentary in Telugu to Modern Generation); Christian Theological Responses: Contemporary Contextual Concerns; Bharatiya Tatvasashra Punadulu (Indian Philosophical Foundations).

Swami Raju has once again enriched the resources on Religious Studies and Social Concerns in India. He deserves an appreciating applause for producing this resourceful book which reflects hard work, engaging research with detailed documentation. It introduces the ongoing debates and reflections on environmental health with special reference to a comprehensive spirituality of environment as practiced by some iconic activists. It is my delight to write this foreword and am grateful to the author for asking.

Human beings do not exist by eating, clothing, breathing and sleeping alone. Many more needs are there than these basics, atmosphere, air, water, vegetation and soil which can be either purified or polluted, maintained or maimed, loved or raped. Modern technology may have the capacity to help in acting for the positive effect or equally if not more to be instrument of ruthless exploitation and destruction. The visions, traditions and practices of religious communities can inform and inspire or warn.

The primal (tribal) traditions have maintained an eco-spirituality supported by a sacred kinship involving persons, nature and unseen powers (or mysterious spirits) resulting in an integrated life. Hinduism is poly-paradigmatic and its master narrative is in Sanskrit language describing the Brahmanic tradition starting from the Vedas. The Vedic vision is 'cosmotheandric' as R. Panikkar called and it implies the nexus of gods, humans and the cosmos sustained by ritual order and social order. Though the social order disintegrated by the prophetic challenges of renouncers such as Buddha and Mahavir, the proliferation and ramification of castes pushed to the cruel end of untouchability. While there is greater awareness of this process, in all the Hindu traditions including popular cults sun, planets, trees, rivers, mountains, certain animals and birds, etc., are regarded as sacred.

"Eco-concern" is one of the major contemporary issues today in world hot debates, conferences, seminars, workshops and environmental movements; perhaps, it became an important academic issue of educational curriculums of world universities. Scientists and scholars; theologians and philosophers; sociologists and environmentalists; preachers and poets are talking and thinking about "eco- crisis" and "environmental changes" that took place in today's world.

The world today suffers irregularity and abnormality due to changes in nature against to the order designed by the Creator of this universe. The air has been polluted out of some from our kitchens, traffic fumes, chimney smokes to big industries, therefore, the Oikos' experience drastic change in nature's equilibrium in the form of thinning of the "Ozone layer", "Global warming", and changes in climatic conditions effecting the seasons. Along with this is the dumping of toxic waste, usage of pesticides which pose a threat to the aquatic animals which in turn affect the whole eco-system; the world is not a safe place to be in. We live in the age of 'wants' thereby over spending natural resources. This is a self suicidal attempt tand the complete annihilation of the whole Oikos has been continued by human's limitless desires.

**Contents and Sample Pages**