Buddhism and

Ecology
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya university

Dr. Nadnapang Phophichit

 Topic: How can i apply and utilize
the Buddhist teaching involving
ecology in the protection of nature?

Presenter: Ven Rasel chakma

 Content
• Introduction
• Climate Impacts on Ecosystems
• Understanding Buddhist teaching on ecology
• Principles of protection in buddhist teachings
• Applying Buddhist teachings to protect natural resources
• Utilizing buddhist teachings for sustainable practices
• Conclusion
• Reference
 Introduction:

• Hello my name is Ven Rasel Chakma I am 22 years old. I am from Bangladesh. Currently, I am
studying second year in Mcu. I am very delighted to get this topic for explain. Today, I will
analyse regarding how can i apply and utilize the Buddhist teaching involving ecology in the
protection of nature? Now I am gonna explaning about it. Environment is an essential
requirement for all living beings to survive on the planet. A clean environment is necessary for a
peaceful and healthy life. As we know, Human beings have polluted the natural
environment, and human beings. Humans impact the physical environment in
many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation.
Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality,
and undrinkable water. We cannot live without good environment. There fore, we
need to protect environment and nature for living.
 Climate Impacts on Ecosystems

Climate change affects ecosystems at multiple levels, from the populations that make up ecosystems to the services they
provide to communities, economies, and people. Four key impacts are described in this section:
• Changes in Species and Populations: As the climate changes, some species will adapt by changing their behavour,
physical characteristics, or how their bodies function. Others will not be able to adapt. As a result, climate change could
lead to expansions, reductions, or extinctions of some populations.
• Changes in the Timing of Natural Events and Cycles: Many plants and animals rely on cues in nature, including
temperature and water conditions, to trigger certain stages of their life cycles. As the climate changes, these cues can
change at different rates, or potentially not all. As a result, species that depend on one another at certain times of the
year may no longer be in sync.
• Changes in Ecosystem Interactions: Climate change can also affect food webs. A food web is the whole set of feeding
relationships among different organisms in an ecosystem. At the bottom of a food web are organisms like plants and
plankton. Other animals, higher in the web, rely on them as food sources. Climate impacts on any part of a food web can
affect the whole system, and even other ecosystems altogether. From the example above, if young fish cannot find
enough food in the estuaries, their predators in the ocean could feel the effects as well.
• Altered or Reduced Ecosystem Services: Climate change is affecting some of the critical services that ecosystems provide
to society.13 For example, ecosystems provide a bounty of food to people. Climate changes, like drought and heat, could
affect the availability and quality of some foods, as well as farmers’ ability to grow certain crops.14
 Understanding Buddhist teaching on ecology:

• The ecosystem in Buddhist perspective is seeing things in their relatedness and that naturally implies a deeper understanding
of the conditioned co-production, seeing things not as beings but as patterns of relatedness ecosystem totally concurs with the
fundamental Buddhist teaching of Dependent co-arising. The early Buddhist community lived in the forest under large trees,
in caves, and in mountainous areas. Directly dependent on nature, they cultivated great respect for the beauty and
diversity of their natural surroundings. In the Sutta'Nipata, one of the earliest texts, the Buddha says: know ye the grasses
and the trees... Then know ye the worms, and the moths, and the different sorts of ants... Know ye also the four-footed
animals small and great, the serpents, the fish which range in the water, the birds that are borne along on wings and move
through the air... Know ye the marks that con­stitute species are theirs, and their species are manifold.2
• During Buddha period,There is a story of a monk who cut down the main branch of a tree: The spirit who resided in that
tree came forward and complained to the Buddha that a monk had cut off his child’s arm. From then on, monks were
forbidden to cut down tree. Buddha set down rules forbidding his disciples to contaminate water resources. As well, monks
were dissuaded from throwing their waste or leftover food into rivers and lakes, and they were urged to guard the lives of
all living beings abiding there.11 In the Vinaya Pitaka there are detailed descriptions of how to build toilets and water
wells.12 One of the eight good qualities of the ocean is "cleanliness,” and another is that it "must be the abode of various
kinds of fish." Those who destroy or contaminate water resources do so at great karmic peril.13 This illustrates early
awareness of the need to preserve natural resources.
Principles of protection in buddhist
teachings

• "Let us cherish and tenderly care for this world because it is our only
home. Only when we have understood the interdependence of all
things, will we truly love and cherish our environment."
• Ahimsa: Non-violence and harmlessness towards all living beings.
• Sila: Acting morally, ethically and with compassion.
• Samadhi: Developing a clear, concentrated and non-judgmental mind.
• Prajna: Cultivating wisdom, insight and understanding.
 Applying Buddhist teachings to protect natural
resources
1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Buddhist teachings persuade
individuals to reduce their usage
of natural resources, reuse items
as much as possible, and recycle
waste materials whenever
possible. Remember, every little
action counts.
2. Purchase Mindfully:
Before making a purchase,
assess your reasons for
buying the product and the
potential long-term
environmental or social
impact. Try to choose eco-
friendly and cruelty-free
products over those that
cause harm.
3.Eat Mindfully:
As we eat, we consume the
energy of the sun and the
earth, and everything that
went into bringing the food
to our plates. Eating
mindfully means choosing
plant-based foods when
possible.
 Utilizing buddhist teachings for sustainable
practices

1.Composting: 2.Green Energy:

Utilize biodegradable waste to create rich,
fertile soil for plants without causing harm
to the environment. Composting promotes
sustainable living and constitutes an
excellent way to recycle food waste, yard
trimmings, and other organic material.
Using renewable sources of energy such as solar,
wind and hydro power slows down the depletion of
non-renewable resources, reduces greenhouse gas
emissions and helps promote a cleaner
environment.

To be honest, I encourage to others people to be conscious about the protect environment. I

will make aware to others people to refrain from air pollution and water pollution. In future
I will work for society and protect environment development. I will try to utilize my
experience for sustainable environment.
Conclusion:

• By examining the principles of Buddhism and its teachings on ecology,

we can develop a more thoughtful and actionable approach to protect
natural resources. Living sustainably and mindfully is crucial for
preserving our planet, and through aligning our actions with Buddhist
principles we can create a more harmonious relationship with the
environment.
 Reference
2.Sutta'Nipata, translated by V. Fausboll (Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 1968).
3.Paccittiya, Bhutagama Vagga, Thai Tripitaka, Vol. 2, p. 347.
11.uIbid., VoL 25:300, p. 313.
12.Ibid., VoL 7. p. 48.
13.Ibid., VoL 26:104, p. 174.
• 8Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, second edition (New York: New York Review/Random House, 1990).
• ^las Sandell, Buddhist Perspectives on the Ecocrisis (Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1987), p. 2.
6 Lipton, D., et al. (2018). Ch. 7: Ecosystems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In: Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United States: Fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change
Research Program, Washington, DC, p. 291.

10 Lipton, D., et al. (2018). Ch. 7: Ecosystems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In: Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United States: Fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change
Research Program, Washington, DC, p. 283.

11 Lipton, D., et al. (2018). Ch. 7: Ecosystems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In: Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United States: Fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change
Research Program, Washington, DC, p. 282.

13 Lipton, D., et al. (2018). Ch. 7: Ecosystems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In: Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United
States: Fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, p. 284.
14 Lipton, D., et al. (2018). Ch. 7: Ecosystems, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In: Impacts, risks, and adaptation in the United
States: Fourth national climate assessment, volume II. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, p. 284.