In the name of the Sacred
Episode 2 of the serie In the Name of Nature
Should we restore a sacred dimension to nature in order to better protect it?
In the name of the Sacred is a three-part documentary exploring relationships to nature through various religions and spiritual traditions (Japanese animism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Buddhism). Could religions and spiritual traditions be valuable allies in the struggle to protect nature? Could the ecological crisis ultimately be a spiritual crisis?
This triptych is the second episode of the series In the Name of Nature, which explores the many reasons for protecting the natural world by meeting leading thinkers and people working on the ground across our beautiful planet. The series follows a round-the-world journey undertaken by the director and her husband in 2016–2017.
Discover below the three parts of this episode.
Technical specifications
- Total duration : 121 minutes
- Narration language : French
- Language of the speakers : Japanese, English, French
- Subtitles : French, English
- Resolution : Full HD (1920x1080p)
- File type : MP4 (with embedded subtitles)
A spiritual quest in three parts
Part 1 : Animisms in Japan
Duration : 37 min
Does believing in nature spirits lead us to respect nature?
This first part takes us into the snowy and enchanted landscapes of northern Japan, following the traces of local beliefs: Shintoism and the spirituality of the Indigenous Ainu people. What is the relationship with nature expressed by these Japanese animist traditions? Do these spiritualities carry an ecological dimension?
Part 2 : Christianities and islam
Duration : 44 min
Does belief in an all-powerful Creator God lead us to respect the natural world He created?
This second part takes us, alongside passionate theologians, on a journey through Christian and Islamic perspectives on nature. Is Christianity responsible for the ecological crisis, based on the image of a God who calls humanity to dominate the Earth? Or can we instead find, in the Bible as well as in the Quran, sources of inspiration for ecological thought and powerful motivations for action?
Part 3 : Buddhism and japanese gardens
Duration : 40 min
Could Buddhism inspire a secular ecological vision?
This third part takes us deep into Buddhist temples and Japanese gardens, exploring the ways these spiritual traditions and practices relate to the natural world. What can modern ecology learn from Buddhism—from its worldview and ethical virtues to practices such as meditation?
Featured speakers
Mitsutaka Inui
Shinto priest
Kamigamo sanctuary
(Kyōto, Japan)
John Dougill
Specialist of Japanese's traditions
Professor at Ryūkoku's University
(Kyōto, Japan)
Kenji Sekine
Guide at the aïnu museum at Biratori
(Hokkaïdo, Japan)
Michel Maxime Egger
Ecotheologian
Leading figure of ecospirituality
(Switerzland)
Fazlun Khalid
Ecotheologian
Founder of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences
(United-Kingdom)
Martin Palmer
Theologian, sinologist
International specialist of major religions and spiritualities
(United-Kingdom)
Simon P. James
Philosopher
Specialist of buddhism
Professor at Durham's University
(United-Kingdom)
Marc-Henri Deroche
Anthropologist
Senior lecturer at Kyōto's University
(Japan)
Nicolas Fiévé
Historian
Director of the French School of Asian studies (France)