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The Sacred Journey of the Earth Community: Towards a Functional and Ecological Spirituality Via the Cosmologies of Thomas Berry and Zhou Dunyi

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The Sacred Journey of the Earth Community: Towards a Functional and Ecological Spirituality Via the Cosmologies of Thomas Berry and Zhou Dunyi THE SACRED JOURNEY OF THE EARTH COMMUNITY: TOWARDS A FUNCTIONAL AND ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY VIA THE COSMOLOGIES OF THOMAS BERRY AND ZHOU DUNYI by Kwang Sun Choi A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Pastoral Department of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Kwang Sun Choi 2012 THE SACRED JOURNEY OF THE EARTH COMMUNITY: TOWARDS A FUNCTIONAL AND ECOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY VIA THE COSMOLOGIES OF THOMAS BERRY AND ZHOU DUNYI Kwang Sun Choi Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2012 Abstract The present context of the ecological crisis and the concomitant bio-geological change demands an urgent, comprehensive response in order to restore the integral functioning of the Earth’s processes. Since the ecological crisis is deeply rooted in a mechanistic and reductionistic worldview and a spirituality of alienation from the Earth, this thesis attempts to develop a functional and ecological spirituality in light of a cosmological perspective, seeking an interpretation of religion and spirituality in terms of the story of the universe and of the Earth process and a functional presence of humanity on the Earth community. This thesis explores the cosmologies of Berry and Zhou by employing two methods – a method of critical cosmological discourse and a method of retrieval, re-evaluation, and reconstruction. By giving special attention to the integral relationship among God, the cosmos and humanity, the works of Berry and Zhou provide insights that speak to the current ecological crisis, a cosmological context for developing an Ecozoic theocosmoanthric spirituality, while helping to advance clear values and ethical parameters that lead to a more authentic human presence on the Earth community. In particular, an Ecozoic spirituality has three interrelated yet distinct components: i) an eco- theological recognition of a triadic communion among God, the cosmos, and humanity; ii) a transformation of worldview, human identity, and human attitudes toward the rest of creation; and iii) certain distinctive virtues that such an integration promotes. This Ecozoic spirituality can help ii develop a sacramental sensitivity to the rest of creation and can promote humanity’s participatory responsibility for the sacred journey of the Earth community. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS From the depth of my heart I express my deep sincere gratitude to all those people who made this dissertation possible and an unforgettable experience for me. I am immensely pleased to place on record my deepest sense of gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Dennis Patrick O’Hara, who has offered his continuous guidance and encouragement in all of its stages. I ever remain grateful to him. I am thankful to Prof. Vincent Shen and Prof. Michael Stoeber for the support to make this study possible. Both have participated in my work in its stage of course work, comprehensive examination, and have served as a reader of this dissertation. I am also thankful to Prof. Mary Evelyn Tucker and Prof. Reid Locklin as my thesis examiners who have provided many insightful comments for the future research. I am also forever grateful to Prof. Oh Bang Sik and Prof. Fr. Lee Jai Don, and Prof. Yu Chai Shin, who have guided, inspired, and supported me throughout my academic and spiritual journey both in Korea and in Canada. My heartfelt thanks to my spiritual director Br. Ignatius Feaver and Rev. Kim Kyu Gon who have become a part of my spiritual journey with their spiritual companionship. I am grateful to my friends Dr. Nadia Delicata and Rev. Rishi Sativihari, and Daniel Hwang, who have helped me with my English as well as encouraged me during the course of journey. In the ecumenical surroundings of Toronto I have developed supportive friendship with Fr. Kim You Jeong, Fr. Baek Jong Yun, and Sr. Lim Soon Hee. I also thank Rev. Chun Joon Bum, Rev. Choi Bong Kyu, Rev. Suh Ae Ran, Rev. Kang Ju Hyun, Choi Moon Jung, Cho Jae Hoon, and friends in Korea Rev. Suh Hun Joo, Jeong Byeong Ho, Kim Sung Min, and Jeong Gwan Jung for their friendship and encouragement throughout my journey. iv To parents I dedicate this dissertation. I take this opportunity to express the profound gratitude from my deep heart to my beloved parents Oh Moo and Kim Yeon Heui, and Bang Soon Im and my late father Choi Sung Won. I have come this far because of their prayers and support. Finally, I thank siblings and family, in particular wife Oh Kyong A, whose sacrificial support makes me possible to achieve this study. I also thank Oh Ye Chan and Heri Choi and James Choi, who are my symbol of Beloved and Hope for the sacred journey of the Earth community. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………….………………………… ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………...………………. iv INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................... 1 A. Thesis Statement ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Status Quaestionis..................................................................................................................................... 2 B. The Scope, Description, Method, and Procedure of the Dissertation ....................................................... 6 1. Scope: Thomas Berry and Zhou Dunyi ................................................................................................ 6 2. Description of Key Terms ................................................................................................................... 10 3. Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 14 4. Procedure ............................................................................................................................................ 17 CHAPTER ONE: THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS ............................. 20 A. The Roots of the Ecological Crisis ......................................................................................................... 21 1. Ecological Crisis ................................................................................................................................. 21 2. Review of Spiritualities and their Relation to the Ecological Crisis ................................................... 22 B. Christian Responses to the Ecological Crisis ......................................................................................... 29 1. The Stewardship and Egalitarian Responses ...................................................................................... 29 2. The Eco-Theological and Spiritual Responses ................................................................................... 35 C. Cosmological Turn: Berry and Zhou ...................................................................................................... 49 D. Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................................. 53 CHAPTER TWO: THE COSMOLOGY OF THOMAS BERRY .............................................................. 55 A. Evolution of Berry’s Cosmology ........................................................................................................... 56 1. Berry’s Intellectual Journey ................................................................................................................ 56 2. Need for a Functional Cosmology ...................................................................................................... 61 3. The New Story: The Manifestation of the Divine .............................................................................. 64 B. The Epic of Evolution ............................................................................................................................ 70 1. The Universe as a Sequence of Irreversible Transformations ............................................................ 71 2. Reinvention of Humanity .................................................................................................................... 77 3. Ecozoic Vision .................................................................................................................................... 81 C. Spirituality of the Earth .......................................................................................................................... 85 D. Concluding Remarks .............................................................................................................................. 89 vi CHAPTER THREE: THE COSMOLOGY OF ZHOU DUNYI ................................................................. 93 A. Context of Zhou Dunyi’s Cosmology .................................................................................................... 95 1. Zhou Dunyi ......................................................................................................................................... 96 2. Challenges and Influences from Buddhism and Daoism .................................................................... 97 3. Sources of Zhou’s Neo-Confucian Cosmology .................................................................................
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