Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel is an Academic Officer for Professional Studies and Adjunct Professor at Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii. She teaches courses in philosophy, world religions, Zen Buddhism, sociology of family and marriage, and gender. Her research interests include Buddhist ecology, ecofeminism, women and economic development, and environmental issues in Thailand. She holds an M.A. in Philosophy from Ohio University and the Ed.D. in Educational Foundations from the University of Hawaii.

Abstract of paper given at Buddhism and Ecology conference:
The Buddhist Monastic Community as a Green Society in Thailand: Its Potential Role in Environmental Ethics, Education and Action

Leslie Sponsel and Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel

In principle, monastic communities in Thailand may approximate a green society to some degree and in certain ways. This paper applies anthropological and ecological theories to explore the potential contribution of monks in trying to deal with environmental problems in Thailand. This is contrasted with some examples of what is actually happening in practice.

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