Buddhism and Deep Ecology: A Case Study of H.H. Dalai Lama’s Engaged Buddhism
Anita Sharma M.Phil (Delhi); PhD (Delhi)
Professor, Department of East Asian Studies
University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Email: anitasharmadu@hotmail.com
Website: www.anitasharma.com
Buddhism and Buddhist teachings can offer solutions to a world undergoing rapid and sometimes destructive changes in its fragile ecology. We can find ourselves open to various possibilities of discovering innovative approaches in Buddhism to the problems facing our environment. The compatibility between the Buddhist worldview of interdependence and an environmentally friendly way of living in the world, and the values of compassion and non-violence are taken as the important contributions to live peacefully in an increasingly threatened world. The Buddha’s emphasis on desire, craving, attachment etc. and his practical measures for overcoming them have enormous potential for the removal of the human causes of environmental degradation. Buddhist teachings attack the root causes of human attitudes that account for so many of modern environmental ills. Self centered individualism, consumerism and wastefulness in the globalised world that destroys the possibility of sound ecological relationships, are all challenged by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold path. The theory of interdependence embraces all life and the natural world, and therefore highly charged with ecological significance.
The Dalai Lama on many occasions has expressed his concern over environment degeneration and said that the uncontrolled material development and exploitation of nature was causing tremendous harm to the environment. Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama during his recent visit to Twang, Arunachal Pradesh, India in November 2009 asked people to preserve the environment and work for development of religion, health and education. Expressing concern over climate change and global warming, the Dalai Lama said that he always told people to preserve the environment. "Do not use plastic bags and do not litter, keep your surroundings clean," he said.
Peace and the survival of earth as we know it are threatened by human activities which lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth’s living things. This lack of respect extends even to earth’s human descendants, the future generations who will inherit a vastly degraded planet if world peace does not become a reality, and destruction of the natural environment continues at the present rate. Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care for it. It is not difficult to forgive destruction in the past which resulted from ignorance. Today however we have access to more information, and it is essential that we re-examine ethically what we have inherited, what we are responsible for, and what we will pass on to coming generations.
"Taking care of the environment should be part of our daily life," he told a forum on sustainability and spirituality. "Using cars, or using electricity, your water, every moment, keep in mind the preservation of energy and resources." The Buddhist leader said the world's resources should not be squandered by humans who wrongly think they can control nature." The present generation has the moral responsibility to keep sufficient resources for future generations," he said. "It is very important."
Highlighting the importance of healthy living, the Dalai Lama said that self-awareness was essential for the protection of health and environment. Lord Buddha in Vinaya Pittaka had given special emphasis on protection of trees for environment conservation, Dalai Lama said. Children must be educated to show concern for the environment of our planet and the need to create a peaceful and compassionate world.
While attending the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2008 that was aimed at advancing towards a new global pact, Dalai Lama said, “In the Tibetan plateau area, warming is higher than global rate so if present trend will go continuously without serious protection some of these major rivers covering Asia will dry, billions of human beings for life depend very much on these rivers,”
Exploration of outer space takes place at the same time as the earth’s own oceans, seas and fresh water areas grow increasingly polluted, and their life forms are still largely unknown or misunderstood. Many of the earth’s habitats, animals, plants, insects and even micro-organisms that we know as rare may not be known at all by future generations. We have the capability and the responsibility. We must act before it is too late.
Dalai Lama while giving the Kalachakra blessings at Amravati called on the Tibetans to stop using animal skins like tiger and leopard. In what is most daring display of loyalty and support to the recent call by the Dalai Lama, Tibetans in Amdo region in eastern Tibet are making bon fires out of their animal skin clothes.
In the wake of the alarming degradation of the environment and destruction of large number of species of animals it has become imperative for humankind to re-evaluate its attitude towards environment and animals. It is quite depressing when one thinks of the atrocities made by humans against ecology and the tremendous loss of natural beauty and diversity. The destruction and debasement of the ecology has been constantly occurring through cruel methods of hunting, fishing, butchering, deforesting, over-mining, excessive use of pesticides, and pollution in various forms. Curiously, there is on the one hand, the necessity for humans to live on nature (i.e., on animals, plants and the elements), and on the other, the fact that exploitation destroys precisely this basis of man’s life. We have got into the present mess due to the unbridled development guided by a profit-oriented economic system. In future, the pollution of our air and water will become unbearable and which, in turn, shall rip away the very support systems that make life on earth possible. Though the solution does not lie in the rejection of science and technology, but their proper place in the scale of human values must be identified.
Buddhism sees egoism and greed as the main cause of misery and harm. There is no doubt that environmental disaster is to a great extent due to the insatiable greed of humans. Buddhism on the whole, though does not mind wealth and prosperity, but they have to be acquired and used in full accord with the ethical norms, among which not to kill or injure living beings which means not to destroy their habitat is the first. The ideals are rather, contentment and in the case of rich lay people liberality. Being content with little and avoiding wastefulness are, of course, attitudes favoring a moderate and careful utilization of nature.
The Buddhist values mean that environment should not be over-exploited. The Buddhist ideal, in fact, is co-operation with nature and not domination. The interdependence of human and all other forms of life in a finely balanced chain of being has always been a fundamental Buddhist belief. True development will arrange for the rhythm of life and movement to be in accordance with the facts, while maintaining awareness that man is but part of the universe, and that ways must be found to integrate mankind with the laws of nature. The only reasonable attitude is to regard all fellow-creatures with compassion and sympathy, and cautiously help them in case of emergency, without damaging others. This is in fact a fundamental attitude in Buddhist culture, and as long as the environment is intact, leaving nature alone is probably the best thing one can do. If bigness and greed can be avoided, the Middle Path of Buddhist development can be achieved.
Guided by Buddhist beliefs in the interdependence of both living and non-living elements of the earth, Tibetans lived in harmony with nature. As the Tibetans say very wisely that not too much of anything that is precious should be taken from the earth, as then its quality fades and the earth is destroyed. These beliefs are strengthened further by the Tibetan Buddhists’ traditional adherence to the principle of self-contentment that is the environment should be used to fulfill one’s need and not to fulfill one’s greed.
Recipient of 1989 Noble Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama is the living embodiment of compassion throughout Asia and the West. The Dalai Lama has developed his philosophy of peace from a great reverence for all things living and upon the concept of Universal Responsibility embracing all mankind as well as nature.
Environmental damage is often gradual and not easily apparent. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth’s living things. When forests are destroyed, many beings also become refugees.
The Dalai Lama mentions in one of his books, “If I were actually to vote in an election, it would be for one of the environmental parties. A clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier, than we found it.” He further says that the earth is our home and our mother. We need to respect and take care of her. We need knowledge to care for ourselves, every part of the earth and the life upon it, and all of the future generations as well.
With the change in environment, the climatic condition also changes. Dramatic climate changes bring about changes in the economy, society and other related things. Our physical health is greatly affected. Therefore, conservation is not merely a question of morality but a question of our own survival.
The earth is not only the common heritage of all human kind but also the ultimate source of life. By over exploiting its resources we are undermining the very basis of our own life. All around, signs of the destruction caused by human activity and of the degradation of nature are abound. Dalai Lama says, “I am wholly convinced that if all of us do not make a concerted effort, with a sense of Universal Responsibility, we will see the gradual breakdown of the fragile ecosystems that support us, resulting in an irreversible and irrevocable degradation of our planet earth”.
As recently as a decade ago, we thoughtlessly consumed the resources of the world, as if there were no end to them. We failed to realize that unchecked consumerism was disastrous for both the environment and social welfare. Exploitation of the national resources is leading to environmental degradation and pollution. Because of the growth in population, a large number of trees are cut for fuel, and to reclaim land for agricultural cultivation. It is adversely affecting the already changing global climate, thus upsetting the lives of not only mankind but also of all living beings. Ignorance of interdependence has not only harmed the natural environment but human society as well. Instead of caring for one another, we place most of our efforts for happiness in pursuing individual material consumption. We have neglected to foster the most basic human needs of love, kindness and cooperation.
The Dalai Lama says that we are having problems because people are concentrating on their selfish interests, on making money and not thinking of the community as a whole. They are not thinking of the earth and the long term effects on man as a whole. By the time we become aware of it, it is generally too late.
Along with over population of Tibet have come widespread changes in the natural environment, including deforestation, mining exploitation, new practices of agriculture that raise the yields but introduce chemicals and pollution, and reduce habitat for wildlife. It has created widespread imbalance of local ecologies. The Dalai Lama as a true engaged Buddhist is trying to preserve environment of Tibetan Plateau. The Dalai Lama has recently said that it is important to cooperate with China over global warming. He said that a political solution between Tibet and China may take time but the environment cannot wait.
In most areas in Tibet where forests were cut, there is no sign of replanting. Forests are being clear felled, leaving no seed trees. Clear felling altered the micro climate, reducing availability of rain to feed re-growth. This kind of effect is irreversible. Also due to population increase in Tibet, there is extra pressure on land. The growing degradation and desertification of the Tibetan Plateau is continuing.
Nuclear weapons which can destroy all life forms and turn beautiful green land of Tibet into a barren land are the antithesis of Buddhist philosophy. Radioactive waste randomly disposed in near water bodies is polluting rivers, lakes and springs. Since Tibet is the primary source of water for the most of South and South East Asia, the impact of headwater pollution, especially by industrial toxic waste on the social and economic life of millions of people in downstream countries would be disastrous. This will certainly cause terrible suffering to everyone dependent on these rivers for their livelihood. Massive deforestation of the Tibetan Plateau also contributes to the siltation of the downstream rivers and the increasingly destructive flooding. The nuclear waste pollution of the Tibet Plateau, besides having local effects, also has trans-national implications. The high altitude winds that blow over the Tibetan Plateau may carry nuclear pollutants from Tibet across the globe to affect other countries.
Decades of mining, resource extraction, and industrialization of Tibet have had a marked effect on the environment resulting in soil erosion, landslides, water pollution & water shortage. It has an extremely negative impact for the long term environmental preservation of this region.
At the global level, trees and forests are closely linked with weather patterns and also the maintenance of a crucial balance in nature. Hence, the task of environment protection is a universal responsibility of all of us. Ignorance of interdependence has not only harmed the natural environment but human society as well. To counteract harmful practices we can teach ourselves to be more aware of our own mutual dependence. Every sentient being wants happiness instead of pain. So we share a common basic feeling. We can develop right action to help the earth and each other based on a better motive.
Education about the environment is of great importance to everyone. In order to have more effective environmental protection and conservation, internal balance within the human being himself or herself is essential. The decision to save the environment must come from the human heart. The key point is a call for a genuine sense of Universal Responsibility that is based on love, compassion, and clear awareness. We must respect the delicate matrix of life and allow it to replenish itself. The Dalai Lama urged his followers not to use skins and other parts of wildlife, particularly those of endangered species for clothing or decorative purposes. He also advised them to put a stop on killing of wild animals and try to opt for vegetarian diet. Poultry farms, pigsties, fisheries and rabbit farms should not be encouraged. Birds should not be kept in cages as it is suffering watching them. He feels it commendable that many of his disciples take vows to quit smoking and meat consumption.
Scientific learning and technological progress are essential for improving the quality of life in the modern world. Still more important is the simple practice of getting to know and better appreciate ourselves and our natural surroundings, whether we are children or adults. If we have a true appreciation for others and resist acting out of ignorance we will take care of the earth. In the biggest sense, environmental education means learning to maintain a balanced way of life. We can share the earth and take care of it together, rather than trying to possess it, destroying the beauty of life in the process.
The Dalai Lama in another interview said that it is not at all wrong for humans to use nature to make useful things but we must not exploit nature unnecessarily. What is essential that we find methods of manufacture that do not destroy nature. We need to find ways of cutting down on our use of wood and other limited natural resources. In order to protect the growth of whatever has been planted in the best way, people should advise their children not to harm them.
Dalai Lama strongly feels that it is inappropriate randomly to discard fruit-peel, paper, plastic bottles, old clothes, food leftovers and other kinds of garbage. Such things spoil the beauty of the landscape and are a hazard to health and hygiene.
The Dalai Lama regularly blesses large quantities of fruit tree seeds which are distributed amongst the settlements. Special efforts are made to ensure that blessed seeds are planted properly and maintained as they grow.
In the stores of natural treasure in Tibet, many of the precious herbs and plants are found from which the medicines are compounded. Many of earth’s habitats and plants that we know as rare may not be known at all by future generations due to over consumption.
The Dalai Lama has urged scholars and practitioners of Tibetan medicine to focus on the issue of environmental sustainability of medicinal plants saying the demand seems to be threatening the survival of many species. Dalai Lama says that this is a critical issue which must be addressed by all those interested and using traditional medicine. He said our health is dependent on a healthy planet and that this requires us to wisely protect and manage our natural resources.
In his Five point Peace Plan, Dalai Lama has stressed harmony between people and animals, between sentient beings and the environment. If people begin to act with genuine compassion for everyone, we can protect each other and the natural environment. Just as we should cultivate gentle and peaceful relations with our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of attitude towards the natural environment. The Dalai Lama strongly believes that the key point lies in the sense of Universal Responsibility. That is the real source of strength, the real source of happiness. If we have a genuine sense of Universal Responsibility as our central motivation, then our relations with the environment will be well balanced. The Dalai Lama also emphasizes that it is extremely important to plant new trees and protect the ones already growing around us. If we unbalance Nature, humankind will suffer. Since we human beings come from Nature, there is no point in our going against Nature, the Dalai Lama further says that the environment is not a matter of religion or ethics or morality. Taking care of our planet is just like taking care of our own houses. In accordance with the Buddhist teachings, the Dalai Lama maintains that there is a very close interdependence between the natural environment and the sentient beings living in it. Negligence of the ecology is tentamount to deliberate destruction of our planet.
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