Transcript ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - Cirencester College

BUDDHISM &
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
’Journal of Buddhist Ethics’
http://jbe.gold.ac.uk/7/sahni001.html
Buddhism teaches a unique
relationship with the environment
which considers us to be dependent
on it, equal and connected to it; this
is in contrast to Christian teachings
which involve us being guardians or
stewards, with responsibility but
ultimately superiority over our
environment.
Deforestation
• All the animals and plants depend
on each other in a complex web of
life.
• Many of the plants and animals
have become very
specialised. Plants produce
complex chemicals in their leaves
to restrict the number of animals
able to eat them, and many of
these chemicals are useful to
humans as medicines.
• Cancer cures, drugs, the
contraceptive pill and a drug
which may help to combat AIDS
all come from rainforest plants.
• When the rainforests are destroyed, it has a dramatic
effect. The rainforest is like a giant sponge, soaking up
the heavy tropical rain and then releasing it slowly.
• When the trees are felled the result is usually erosion and
flooding.
• Mahogany is a wood which is desired for its beauty, but
thousands of plants, insects and animals die each time a
tree is felled. Buying tropical hardwoods is encouraging
the destruction of the worlds most diverse eco-system.
Pollution - Air
Pollution - Water
Case Study:
Holy Island; off
the coast of Arran in the
Firth of Clyde
• A retreat and conservation
Island bought in 1992 by
the Samye Ling Buddhist
Centre as an interfaith
project.
• The island is managed
according to key Buddhist
principles.
The centre was built with
ecologically sound materials
and methods:
• water is heated with solar
panels
• all the paint used is nontoxic and bio-degradable
• insulation materials are
environmentally friendly
• sewerage is processed using
state-of-the-art reed beds
resulting in almost clear
water discharged into the
sea
Island Rules are the 5 Precepts
All individuals and groups who visit
the island are asked to abide by the
Five Golden Rules:
• To respect life and refrain from
killing
• To respect other people's property
and refrain from stealing
• To speak the truth and refrain
from lying
• To encourage health and refrain
from intoxicants (including
alcohol, cigarettes and drugs)
• To respect others and refrain from
sexual misconduct
Beliefs in Action – Thailand’s “Environmentalist
monks” (phra nak anuraksa in Thai)
• The actions of a small percentage of the total number
of monks in Thailand are visible in Thai society.
• They tackle urgent and controversial issues, such as
deforestation and the construction of large dams,
using modified Buddhist rituals and an ecological
interpretation of Buddhist teachings.
Dalai Lama 1989 - Nobel Peace Prize
lecture on his hopes for Tibet
• “I want the Tibetan plateau to be transformed
into a ‘Zone of Non Violence’ which would be
the world’s largest park or biosphere. Strict
laws would be enforced to protect wildlife and
plant life: the exploitation of natural resources
would be strictly regulated so as not to damage
relevant ecosystems; and a policy of sustainable
development would be adopted in populated
areas.”
Metta Sutta - Loving Kindness;
Buddha’s words on how to act
according to ‘loving kindness’
• “(be)..frugal in their ways.”
• “May all beings be at ease.”
• “..cherish all living beings; radiating
kindness over the entire world; spreading
upwards to the skies, and downwards to the
depths.”
Thich Nhat Hanh’s version of the 5 Precepts
- ‘Five Mindfulness Trainings’
• Extracts from the 1st and 2nd are especially relevant
to environmental ethics;
1. ‘Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of
life….cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect
the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals.’
2. ‘Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation…
cultivate loving-kindness and learn ways to work for
the well being of people, animals, plants and
minerals. Prevent others from profiting from human
suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.’
• The 1st Precept to not harm, guides Buddhists in their ethical
behaviour; as in the case of water pollution where the destruction of
animal life and habitats is clearly harmful and therefore against this
precept. Furthermore the Metta Sutra on loving Kindness says …..
•The principle of
Ahimsa or harmlessness
reinforces the first
precept and how
Buddhists believe we
should relate to our
environment.
Create a Mind Map, list of bullet
points or essay style summary of
key Buddhist beliefs connected to
environmental issues. Make as
many points as you can think of.
•The belief that all
things are
interconnected and
causally related – and
reflected in one another
as illustrated in the
Jewel Net of Indra leads Buddhists to place
great importance on the
conservation of natural
resources….
Other Concepts:
Rebirth / Dukka /
Loving-Kindness….