Symbiosis of Nature and Ethical Consciousness: Eco-Buddhist Themes in Kaleem Omar’s Poetry
Eco-Buddhist Themes in Kaleem Omar’s Poetry
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This paper analyzes the intersection of ecological awareness and literary expression in Kaleem Omar’s poetry set against the backdrop of Pakistan’s heightened vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation. It is an endeavour to view South Asian literature through the lens of an indigenous environmental theory, i.e., Eco-Buddhism, to highlight its ecological undertones. Employing Eco-Buddhism as a theoretical framework, the paper conducts a thematic content analysis of Kaleem Omar’s selected poems. These poems have been analyzed to unravel the subtle dynamics between human activities, natural environments, and the ethical considerations entwined in them. His poetry reflects a profound engagement with environmental issues, articulating concerns about societal indifference and the moral complexities of human dominion over nature. In his poems, he views nature as a sacred being that must be revered and conserved. By integrating the Buddhist ethos of interconnectedness and non-violence with the concerns of ecocriticism, this research underscores the potential of South Asian Eco-poetic narratives in advocating environmental consciousness and addressing ecological crises.
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