Smokey the Bear Sutra - Hardcover

by Gary Snyder (Author)

An impassioned poem with Buddhist imagery and messages of environmentalism, social justice, and enlightenment.

Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet Gary Snyder composed Smokey the Bear Sutra" one spring night in 1969 at a Sierra Club conference. Smokey the Bear is not the U.S. Forest Service's Smokey Bear, the latter being a highly recognized advertising symbol protected by Federal law. Rather, the imagery of this Smokey comes from Buddhism; according to Snyder, Smokey the Bear Sutra is a dharma protector, modeled after Fugo, the Japanese patron of ascetics and yogis. The message of the Sutra is that we as beings are responsible to protect all other life down to the smallest forms-- do no harm, protect our collective selves, and honor the great impermanence.

This short work is part of Applewood's American Roots series, tactile mementos of American passions by some of America's most famous writers.

Author Biography

Gary Snyder is a well-known American poet, essayist, and environmental activist. Snyder is the recipient of many literary honors, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1974 for Turtle Island and the American Book Award in 1983 for Axe Handles. Other notable awards include the Bollingen Prize for Poetry, the John Hay Award for Nature Writing, and the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.

A Buddhist since 1955, Snyder's spiritual beliefs are a strong influence on his work and activism.