A Buddhist environmental ethic in action : the transformative development of Soka Gakkai’s value creation and human revolution

Abstract

This thesis examines the Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist movement using the eco-contextualist approach in an attempt to address some ambiguity involved in the eco-Buddhist research field. The contextual strategy methodology, which is supported by the textual and practical strategy methods, is used to focus on a specific Buddhist culture and asks how its practice interacts with environmental discourse. By employing the contextual strategy methodology to examine specific accounts of thought and practice of Soka Gakkai International, this thesis ultimately shows that one can see the development and articulation of an environmental mindset among its members. This distinct mindset represents the Soka Gakkai Buddhist ideals of Human Revolution and Value Creation, which work together to generate a true sense of responsibility to the natural environment. This study involves both primary and secondary research methods, and includes semi-formal interviews with members of the Soka Gakkai International chapter in Halifax, Nova Scotia.