7/26/2019 Buddhism teach about ecology.pdf

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What does Buddhism teach about ecology?

All beings are connected

Buddhism teaches that the idea of separateness is an illusion. Thehealth of the whole is inseparably linked to the health of the parts, and

the health of the parts is inseparably linked to the health of the whole.This means that caring for the environment begins with caring foroneself: When our hearts are good, the sky will be good to us, saysVenerable Maha Ghosananda of Cambodia, a founding patron of ARC.

Respect for life

Buddhist practice makes one feel ones existence is no more importantthan anyone elses. If one treats nature as a friend and teacher, onecan be in harmony with other creatures and appreciate theinterconnectedness of all that lives.

Simplicity and moderation

Buddha taught people to live simply and appreciate the natural cycle of life. Craving and greed only bring

unhappiness, since demands for material possessions can never be satisfied and people will always demandmore, so threatening the environment. This is why the real solution to the environmental crisis begins withthe individual.

Buddhists in Japan tell a story. The Buddha once received a donation of 500 new robes for his followers. Sohe considered what to do with the old ones. They would be used for bed-sheets, he decided. And the oldsheets would become towels. And the old towels would be used as cleaning rags. Everything should be usedand reused.

Right livelihood

According to Buddhism, the way you earn your livelihood not killing, not stealing, not taking more thanyou need all these are part of the Buddhist way of life. A livelihood that avoids harming others, such astrading in weapons, meat, alcohol or poisons is in harmony with nature.

In April 2012 ARC Secretary General Martin Palmer delivered a paper on the challenges and opportunities

facing contemporary Buddhism to the 3rd World Buddhist Forum in Hong Kong.You can read more about this

event and the full text of his paperhere.

Linkhere for a story about how the Tibetans stopped killing tigers for their skins almost overnight - after an

appeal from the Dalai Lama in late 2005, who pointed out that killing endangered species is against the

tenets of Buddhism.

The Buddha gazes over a lotus pond in

Thailand

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