佛教对环境问题的解决之道

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Buddhist∵Solution∵for∵Environmental∵Issues

佛教对环境问题的解决之道

李重硕教授/Prof∵.∵Hwaryeong∵Lee∵（韩国/Korea）

Director,∵Central∵Education∵Center∵of∵Buddhist∵Chongji∵Order/

韩国佛教总持宗中央教育院长

Today,∵the∵natural∵disasters∵caused∵by∵environmental∵pollution∵are∵threatening∵the∵survival∵of∵human∵beings.∵The∵slogans∵by∵social∵organizations∵or∵governments∵are∵not∵powerless∵in∵preventing∵of∵such∵disasters.∵Human∵beings∵must∵grope∵for∵the∵ultimate∵solution∵for∵environment∵pollution.∵Otherwise,∵human∵beings∵will∵soon∵receive∵the∵entire∵karma∵effects∵from∵what∵they∵have∵done.∵Such∵karma∵effects∵will∵bring∵loss∵of∵lives∵and∵fortune,∵shortage∵of∵food∵and∵water,∵and∵various∵diseases.

We∵should∵find∵out∵the∵solution∵from∵Buddhism∵in∵order∵to∵prevent∵such∵disasters.∵Buddhist∵philosophy,∵which∵emphasizes∵coexistence,∵will∵provide∵philosophical∵foundation∵as∵well∵as∵concrete∵method∵to∵prevent∵environmental∵pollution∵and∵save∵the∵earth.

The∵Buddha∵did∵not∵mention∵about∵environmental∵pollution∵or∵solution∵for∵it,∵for∵there∵was∵no∵destruction∵of∵nature∵or∵environmental∵problem∵caused∵by∵such∵destruction.∵However,∵if∵we∵look∵for∵concrete∵method∵based∵on∵the∵spirit∵of∵compassion,∵to∵protect∵natural∵environment,∵we∵can∵recognize∵that∵following∵the∵Buddha’s∵teaching∵is∵no∵other∵than∵protecting∵of∵nature∵and∵living∵together∵with∵it,∵and∵that∵the∵way∵of∵life∵as∵such∵is∵also∵the∵way∵to∵protect∵environment.

The∵Buddha∵already∵taught∵us∵through∵the∵doctrine∵of∵co-existence∵how∵we∵can∵coexist∵together∵with∵nature.∵Thereupon,∵Buddhists∵believe∵that∵they∵have∵to∵love∵all∵sentient∵beings∵and∵let∵them∵not∵to∵have∵any∵fears,∵that∵they∵have∵to∵keep∵their∵lives∵in∵frugality∵for∵the∵benefit∵of∵all∵sentient∵beings,∵and∵that∵they∵are∵cautious∵not∵to∵spend∵wastefully.∵We∵should∵know∵through∵the∵doctrine∵of∵dependent∵origination∵that∵nature∵is∵not∵what∵exist∵for∵our∵exploitation,∵but∵what∵supports∵our∵lives∵and∵thus∵should∵coexist∵with∵us.

It∵is∵true∵that∵man’s∵desire∵is∵the∵driving∵force∵of∵human∵civilization∵in∵today.∵Men∵have∵pursued∵material∵satisfaction∵rather∵than∵internal∵happiness.∵They∵tried∵to∵produce∵wealth∵as∵much∵as∵they∵can∵in∵order∵to∵satisfy∵their∵desire.∵The∵fundamental∵cause∵of∵environmental∵pollution∵also∵comes∵from∵here.∵If∵entire∵human∵beings∵abandon∵their∵desire∵and∵purse∵frugal∵life,∵their∵wastes∵are∵minimized∵and∵are∵also∵destruction∵of∵environment.

If∵we∵Buddhists∵understand,∵through∵the∵truth∵of∵dependent∵origination,∵the∵necessity∵of∵coexistence,∵practice∵it∵in∵our∵everyday∵life,∵moderate∵our∵desire,∵have∵compassion,∵and∵save∵all∵lives∵and∵resources,∵environment∵will∵be∵protected∵and∵the∵peace∵of∵the∵world∵will∵be∵realized.

Therefore,∵environment∵issues∵will∵begin∵to∵be∵resolved,∵when∵we∵understand∵the∵Buddha’s∵teaching∵and∵practice∵moderate∵and∵frugal∵life.