Green Buddhism and W. S. Merwin’s Eco-poetry

• Main Authors: Geng, Jiyong, Zhang, Jie
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Subjects: eco-poetry; ecocriticism; green Buddhism; W. S. Merwin; Zen; Asian Studies; Critical and Cultural Studies; Literature in English, Anglophone outside British Isles and North America
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/kk/vol1/iss44/3; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/kk/article/1002/viewcontent/Green_Buddhism_and_W._S._Merwin_s_Eco_poetry_revised.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

This article explores the profound influence of Buddhist environmental thought on the poetry of W.S. Merwin. It discusses how Merwin integrates Buddhist philosophies such as interdependent arising (pratītya-samutpāda), emptiness (śūnyatā), non-self (anātman), compassion (karunā), and the concept of Buddha nature into his poetic work, highlighting themes such as ecological interconnectedness, the rejection of anthropocentrism, and the intrinsic value of nature. The article examines how Merwin’s use of these themes not only enriches his poetic expression but also contributes to the broader discourse on green Buddhism, bridging the gap between human experience and ecological consciousness.