Faith into Action *ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES* January 27 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the crystallization of the wish to guarantee human existence for all people based on the resolve not to repeat the tragedies of World War II. Likewise, the Earth Charter should be a distillation of the spirit of coexistence and the resolve not to pass down the evils perpetrated by modern civilization to subsequent generations. Realization of such a charter will certainly involve many difficulties, but we have no choice but to forge the path toward it by sharing responsibility for our common struggle against global crisis and by building trust through sustained dialogue. (1997 PP) Indeed, the threat to human life today consists not only of war or nuclear holocaust but also of the destruction and deterioration of the Earths environment. Protection of the global environment must be made one of the top priorities of international politics, and the while issue of national security should be reappraised, incorporating environmental concerns. (1991 PP) The essence of our environmental problem is how we can go about creating a society that will exist in harmony with the ecosystem. For this reason, it is a compound problem that transcends the boundaries of politics, economics, science and technology. The environment issue concerns fundamental problems of how human beings live and include all fields of endeavor, which range from human values to the nature of culture in future societies. This is an issue that cannot be solved successfully from only the political or economic viewpoint of individual nations. We must instead proceed with a reformation of the consciousness of all the Earths people, a task that renders the need for internal spirituality all the more necessary. (1992 PP) The Universe itself has imparted to humanity the mission of protecting the complex ecological system and of contributing to the creation of value within the Earths biosphere. Consequently, if a sense of this lofty mission orients all of our scientific technology, social systems, politics and economics, we will discover the truly humane --- in the best sense of the word --- approach to solving environmental problems. (9/90 ST) Bodhisattvas live for the sake of the future, which they strive to understand ahead of time through compassion and wisdom. They work to amplify the creative vitality of Earths biosphere and to make full use of scientific technology and social systems for the sake of our children and for still unborn emissaries of the universal life force. (9/90 ST) Enabling the masses to expand their awareness to the global level is of the utmost importance. Furthermore, this revolution of understanding and approach must be allowed to penetrate to the deepest layers of consciousness where it can influence judgements and actions in daily life. Each individual is concerned about the state of the air in their immediate vicinity. The problem is for each individual to be equally as concerned about pollution of the air elsewhere. We must learn to control our own material desires (greed) for the sake of the good of people who live decades or even centuries after us. We must sacrifice convenience in the name of energy conservation. The question is whether we can change our lifestyle to the extent necessary to achieve this great goal. (9/90/ST) Government must be dedicated to the good of the people. It is a tragedy that the beautiful natural environment people have cherished and protected for generations is being destroyed in the name of economic growth, political advantage and scientific progress. Because human beings have the capacity to be aware of the balance of nature, it is our duty to work to preserve it. (DOY 2, ch. 17) *PP. Refers to the peace proposal of that year* *ST. Refers to Seikyo Times* *DOY. Refers to Discussions On Youth* Thoughts on Selected Topics by Daisaku Ikeda
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 06:10:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015