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What do you think Buddha will say regarding global warming?
jll
Veteran
If Buddha was still alive, what advice would he give us? [Mod Edit: Moved to Current Events]
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The Buddha always encouraged moderation in living, even for ordinary lay people.
Regards
Come to think about it , the forest monk lifestyle is very sustainable and compatible with green living. They live a simple life that seek to tap into the energy of happiness from within rather than deriving it from accumulating a lot of objects that use up a lot of resources. Being forest monks they tend to set up a peaceful co-existence with nature . They live in simple meditation huts surrounded by trees and nature. I would prefer that kind of habitat and lifestyle.
Eating vegetarian can be helpful to the environment and animals as well.
I can't speak for the Buddha, but I can share my own views and opinions which have been shaped (at least, partially) by the Buddha's Teachings.
First off, I want to point out the obvious; there are two issues which are often lumped together:
1) Global warming
2) The impact which human beings have on the environment.
Why are these issues lumped together? Can it be conclusively proven that global warming (if it actually exists) is man made? Or is this all just political propaganda? I would like to hear what other people have to say regarding these questions.
Perhaps we should first ask "Is global warming actually true?"
It may be the case that global warming is true, or it may not. If global warming is true, it may or may not be caused by man's impact on the environment. If global warming is true, we may or may not be able to do something about it.
Thermometers have only been in mass production for 100 years or so which is not even a blink of an eye compared to the age of this planet. I don't believe we have a large enough sample size of the Earth's weather patterns in order to make any conclusions one way or the other. There is even a certain amount of evidence which suggest that, if anything, we may be headed towards another ice age. Who knows? Not me.
I am convinced that human beings are changing the environment in a negative way, but, I am not yet convinced that this is causing global warming.
Whether global warming is fact or fiction, we can (and, arguably, should) take measures on an individual basis to curb our environmental impact (e.g. Avoid using more of the planet's resources than we, as individuals, actually need). If we feel so inclined we may even take steps beyond the level of the individual and try to encourage others to do the same. If we feel even more driven than this we can also join activist groups, or even parliament, and try to make our voice heard on a larger scale.
But, ultimately, however much we try to convince others of what we believe is "right" or "true" or "correct" - what they do is up to them. There is also a danger of being preachy (which for most people is a turn-off), so, perhaps the best thing we can do (in my opinion) is to lead by example. If other people see that you are reducing your impact to the best of your ability then, hopefully, they will be inspired to do the same and will, in turn, inspire others; creating a ripple effect.
Unfortunately, as much as we might wish to reduce our impact, we are entangled in a global society which mismanages, destroys and wastes many of the planet's finite resources. So the problem is inter-woven with politics, big business and the more fundamental issue of human greed. It is greed, not only our own, but also that of others, which impacts the planet in a negative way. The Buddha taught us to purify our minds of greed and other defilements.
While it is certainly praiseworthy to take measures to reduce one's impact on the external environment and purify the Earth - I believe the most praiseworthy endeavor is to purify the mind.
Metta,
Guy
Unfortunately, we are all in this together. If the majority believes that human activities are not detrimental to the earth, then the future is bleak.
Maybe that is why when Buddha surveyed the world, he saw only a few with little dust in their eyes.
Some of us learn to curb our bad habits relatively easily, others need to experience the negative consequences before they change their ways and still others will not change no matter what.
Metta,
Guy
1. Law of cause and effect. Burning all those fossil fuels releasing all that smoke into the environment, wouldn't it have some consequences? Well, here they are.
2. Do not kill life. The single biggest source of methane gas, which is a green house gas are the animals which are bread for meat consumption. If we only stick to being vegetarian this already would solve a lot of current problems.
"He has set up an eco-friendly village and is a best-selling author. ..
As a vision of the future, the community of Plum Village in the French wine region of the Dordogne doesn't conform to stereotype. ...
Yet this co-operative of three hamlets that includes fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, dormitories, temples and meditation halls is the headquarters of a monastic order that is at the forefront of a grassroots green movement, attracting increasing numbers of inquiries from people disaffected with modern living and looking for a greener, more sustainable future.
.....The environmental principles of his doctrine teach respect and compassion for the environment through a code of practice called the five mindfulness trainings. Rooted in Buddhist tradition, this system of behaviour represents a vision of global spirituality and ethics. Devotees are encouraged to adopt and practise these in everyday life. The system encourages followers to take responsibility for their actions and to consider carefully the consequences of their consumption, not only of food and material goods, but also of culture and sensory stimuli. Thich Nhat Hanh says the wrong type of media is toxic and promotes wrongful consumption, which in turn is bad for the individual and the planet. In The World We Have he writes: "The situation the Earth is in today has been created by unmindful production and unmindful consumption. We consume to forget our worries and our anxieties. Tranquilising ourselves with over-consumption is not the way."
In common with James Lovelock's popular Gaia theory, Buddhists believe the Earth is a living organism of which we are all a part and are all interdependent. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that if we harm the environment, we harm ourselves. The message is simple but effective – consume with compassion. To do this, devotees are encouraged to practice regular silent contemplation and to punctuate their day with meditation, during which they bring themselves to the present moment to contemplate life and focus on the implications of their actions. All meals at Plum Village are eaten in silence, and diners are encouraged to consider each mouthful carefully, reflecting on the amount of food they eat, the provenance of it and the ethical implications of consuming it. The effect of this exercise, when done in the belief that every organism is part of a singular whole, is profound and is the reason why Plum Village monks eat a vegan diet.
In a rare interview, Thich Nhat Hanh says: "Unesco reports that every day 40,000 children die because they do not have enough food. Meanwhile many of us eat a lot of meat and drink a lot of alcohol. In order to make a piece of meat you have to use a lot of cereal and grain and that grain could be used to feed dying children...
While his vegan dietary advice may not resound with everyone, his clarion call for a return to a more simplistic way of life has struck a chord with many. ....Increasingly the message of simple living is being accessed by the young. The order's outreach programme for young people, Wake Up – Young Buddhists and non-Buddhists for a Healthy and Compassionate Society, runs programmes around the globe and its theme tune has been downloaded from the internet by more than 40,000 fans.
Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges the increasingly important role young people play in the green movement. He says: "The future belongs to the young and if they wake up early, for the sake of everyone on the planet, that is a good thing. Young people are more free, they are not bound by so many things." While some may argue that living according to his trainings is difficult in modern society and that his doctrine presents an unattainable idealism, the message of appreciating simple pleasures and freedom from attachment to material goods has become increasingly relevant during the credit crunch. Since the economic downturn, Plum Village has received more inquiries about the retreats it hosts.
Thich Nhat Hanh says: "Yes, we have to earn a living, but it is possible to earn a living according to the five trainings and to be content. If you have a salary that is not as high as others, if you have to live in a smaller house and have a more humble car, you can live according to the noble path and you can laugh, you can love. If you live with compassion then your life is a happy life. Simple living is possible. I know of many rich businessmen who live simply, they eat simply and their joy comes from knowing they are allowing many people to have jobs and that they are not damaging the planet by conducting their business."
....After his London appearance he will hold a week-long retreat in the Midlands, where 500 people, including children and families, will be able to experience his blend of environmental spiritualism.
He says: "We all have to reconsider our values in society and live a simpler life. We have to reconsider our version of happiness.
"People are getting busier and busier. We are like fishes living in a place where water is lacking. We don't feel comfortable, we don't have space, we lack time. We may have more money than in the past but we have less space and less happiness and less love. So we should have a revolution which must start with a collective awakening. We have to stop and look for another direction."
Ultimately, the impassioned humanist and wise sage believes we can still salvage our ailing planet.
"It is possible for us to be something and to do something now, don't despair. There is something we can all do. There is still is a chance. Recognise that and do it and you will find peace. Don't allow yourself to be carried away by despair." His eyes flash with passion as he speaks and you can't help but believe and hope that maybe he is right."
"This is nice! I do not need a sweater."