World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 988

consequences. Contentment is a much praised virtue in Buddhism. The person leading a simple life with few wants is upheld and appreciated as an exemplary character. The excessive exploitation of nature as is done today would certainly be condemned by Buddhism in the strongest possible terms. Loving - kindness (maitri) is a part and parcel of the meditative life of Buddhists. If one practices loving -kindness sincerely, one would refrain from over exploitation and over consumption. Out of sympathy for future generations too as non-renewable natural resources are fast diminishing due to demand made by the present consumerist life style. Practicing maitri
[Loving-kindness) man would also have sympathy for other species and forms of life which are threatened by extinction. Today strategically important to remember that natural bio-diversity is extremely valuable for healthy balanced ecosystem. Thus, Buddhism prescribes the practice of loving-kindness towards all creatures in all quarters without restriction.
The understanding of Buddhists doctrine of Karma and rebirth, too prepares Buddhists to adopt a sympathetic attitude towards animals and other living beings. According to this doctrine of Karma, it possible for human beings to be reborn in subhuman states among animals or birds due to our good and bad deeds. Therefore it is only right that we should treat animals and other living beings with kindness and sympathy. Out of a concern for the total living environment, Buddhist environmentalists extend lovingkindness and compassion beyond people and animals to include plants and the earth itself. Nature and natural surrounding, beautiful forest is much appreciated and given importance in Buddhist scriptures. Forest is considered as best place for high spiritual attainment. This is the main reason; the Buddhists monasteries and Viharas are mostly built in a forest or on mountain top. The Lord Buddha has stressed the need for close contact with nature and pointed out how advancement of mind leads to a greater appreciation of nature. The Lord Buddha in some places identified 'Dharma' with nature. He himself set under a Bodhi Tree to achieve enlightenment. Trees have special place in their world view for Buddhists. There is a reverential attitude in Buddhism towards all trees, especially long-standing gigantic trees, such as banyan, ironwood, the sala and the fig trees. For Buddhists ecologist, Buddha's life itself is an inspiration, because, the Buddha's life from birth to Nirvana was spent close to nature. He was born under a tree, attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree (Pipal] and through-out his 45 years of teaching he resided and preached in the forest. Even when he was dying, he lay down under a tree. Nature is a great teacher. Man has to learn lot from nature. Thus, the Buddha advised his followers to learn from nature. Thus, conserving nature could be seen as the duty of Buddhists, a fulfillment of their responsibility to cherish source of wisdom. Moreover, Buddhists believe that, on a mundane level, nature provides us with the basic requisites for survival: food, clothing, shelter, medicine and most crucially oxygen and
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