Saving the world and the environment by transcending self-centeredness ~ 17th Karmapa ~ Q: Many people have been inspired by your song, “Aspiration for the World.” Is the Buddhist approach to the environment different from the conventional way of thinking about it? The 17th Karmapa: The teachings of the Buddha are a source of benefit and happiness for all sentient beings. For people who follow the tradition of buddhadharma, this is a truth that we have great confidence in. ...In that context, there are some ways that Buddhists would endeavor to protect the world that are similar to environmental organizations’ approaches, but there are other Buddhist approaches that would be different. In terms of similar aspects, the strongest tradition of ethics in Buddhism is found in the monastic traditions, and there are very specific rules that ordained monks and nuns follow in order to protect and respect the environment. For example, monks and nuns are prohibited from cutting down trees. That’s just one example of how respect for the environment is embedded in the ethical codes of Buddhism. However, the main endeavor of Buddhists is to tame the mind in order to bring peace and well-being into the hearts of oneself and all sentient beings. This is a very important way to protect the environment. If we focus only on changing the external circumstances, we will never be able to fully succeed in saving and protecting the world. Because no matter how many changes we make on the outside, if our minds are not at peace, if they are disturbed and governed by self-centeredness, then that is always going to produce external disturbance in the world. So the primary focus of people who follow the dharma is to bring peace and well-being into their own hearts and into the hearts of all sentient beings, transcending self-centeredness. This is the most important point for Buddhists and for all spiritual practitioners. (from: “Kindness Is the Most Important Thing”: The 17th Karmapa concludes his first visit to America. By Melvin McLeod, Shambhala Sun, September 2008. shambhalasun/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3248&Itemid=247)
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 04:56:58 +0000
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