Oelschlaeger's 'The Idea of Wilderness'

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This paper reviews Oelschlaeger's 'The Idea of Wilderness' from Prehistory to the Age of Ecology, giving an overview of interaction with nature from the earliest times of human existence until present times.

From the Paper:

"There still is a sect of wilderness Buddhist monks, for example, that have been roaming the wilderness of Southeast Asia for centuries, living symbiotically with the jungle. The monks' rules demand they live entirely outside of the market economy, refusing any activities that divide them from a completely wilderness life: agriculture, herding animals, conducting trade or commerce, or storing food. In a sense, they are hunters and gatherers, but since they cannot kill animals, take from plants, or dig up soil, they instead collect from the generosity of the farmers. To repay for the burden put on their supporters, they must make themselves worthy--following the dharma, living frugally and virtuously, keeping their needs to a complete minimum.
The Idea of Wilderness covers Snyder's spiritual ecology and his "Eastern Connection" and interest in Oriental philosophy, psychology and religion. From his contact with the Zen Buddhism, he gained contact with ecology, to "hear the Earth Mother, welling up through the poet's song that sings of ancient sensibilities..." (262) " As Loa Tzu reminds, the name that can be named is not the Tao, the Mother of the ten thousand things."

More papers on Oelschlaeger's 'The Idea of Wilderness':

• Analytical Essay # 139493 : "The Idea of Wilderness" - A Book Review"
• Book Review # 119829 : "What's Lacking in "The Idea of Culture"
• Analytical Essay # 61029 : "The Idea of Nature"

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