RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

　　By Ven K Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera,

　　Buddhist Maha Vihara Brickfields, Malaysia

　　Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia

　　 It is amazing that the Buddha taught us to “GO GREEN” more than 2,600 years ago while we got thrilled and excited about this phrase only in the last few decades. The momentum of course truly picked up in this last decade with many country level commitment and signatories such as the Kyoto Protocol.

　　 We today talk about the thinning of the ozone layer, efforts to reduce the greenhouse effect, reducing carbon footprints, etc which will go a long way to reduce the level of carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses in the air. All efforts are directed to institutionalize these processes within time definite deliverables on levels of emissions because inpiduals, Companies or even countries cannot seem to be trusted to bring down the emission levels without proactive monitoring by an external party, due to sheer concern on profits and/or inability to see that short term investments in these areas are critical for the very survival of planet Earth.

　　 The Buddha has taught many aspects of environmental conservation and stressed on the need to respect life.

　　 A beautiful aspect Buddha”s advice on recycling is the monks” robes. Once the robes are worn out, it is used to as a blanket. Once it outlives its use as a blanket, it is then used as a pillow case. Once it outlives its use as a pillow case, it is then used as a handkerchief. Once its use as a handkerchief is outlived, it is then used to wrap a dead body or to be part of the wall of a structure. It is interesting to see that the robe is not just discarded away but has an extended useful life through many phases and forms.

　　 The fact that monks are advised to only keep two sets of robes itself, from the Middle Path viewpoint of keeping to contentment and simplicity, consumption is reduced and thus there is reduced utilization of resources to fulfill needs, thus less assailing on nature and its resources.

　　 The essence of Buddhism has been the Middle Path, to avoid the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. In encouraging simplicity and fulfillment of our basic needs, and reducing one”s infinite wants, we are encouraging less assailment on our Earth”s limited resources.

　　 When monks consume food from their bowl, after eating, they are advised to wash the bowl in the river or waterway so that the leftovers are consumed by life forms in the river. Food is thus not wasted but supports other life chains in the ecosystems.

　　 Monks precepts forbid the destruction of trees and plant life as other living beings live there. Monks are also not allowed to consume fruits with seeds in it. These seeds need to be cleaned and the fruits offered to monks.

　　 The Buddha also mentions that Karma is only one of Five Niyamas (Orders) that govern the earth and that everything is not due to Karma. The other Niyamas being :

　　Bija Niyama – the order of germs or seeds

　　Citta Niyama – the order of mind or psychic law

　　Utu Niyama – the physical inorganic order

　　Dhamma Niyama – the order of norm

　　 All of this act in a flux that once disturbed, releases negative or adverse reactions for us.

　　In Paticca Samuppada (the law of Dependant- Origination), it is explained that in the action and reactions relationship, reactions are not a simple linear function, but rather a product of many other contributory factors. Similarly our own actions of good begets good and bad begets bad is a function of that action and other contributory factors or conditions.

　　 A beautiful example of this multi function influence is attempting to light a fire by rubbing together two dry sticks. Firstly the friction between both sticks must be suffic…

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