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Environmental Ethics Response

1

Explain Buddhist ethical teaching with particular reference to ONE of the 12
following areas:
bioethics
environmental ethics
sexual ethics.

The preservation of the environment is a major Buddhist concern for future
generations. Showing care for the surrounding environment is central to Buddhist
practices, as many Buddhist teachings compliment the notion that it is integral that
we preserve our surroundings. The Buddhist approach to the environment and the
ethical issues surrounding it can be directly linked to the teachings of the Buddha
himself, in particular the Noble Eightfold Path, where right intention and right action
are pivotal in Buddhists approach to environmental ethical issues such as
deforestation, pollution and conservation of earthy elements, such as water.

Through the way of life promoted by the Noble Eightfold Path, the principles of the
Buddhas teachings promote the middle way which encourages a life of moderation
and conversation, directly influencing Buddhist attitudes to the environment. This
Buddhist ethical teaching of environmental ethics largely underpins the attitudes
towards modern issues such as deforestation. Buddhism commonly promotes the
values and traits of not being selfish, evident in one of the the three poisons of
Buddhism being greed. Most Buddhists believe this, and will agree that greed is a
cause of dukkha, that is suffering. In a highly industrialised 21
st
century, most people
have a strong disregard for being greedy and dwell into high consumption of natural
resources, passing a moral code that is highly emphasised in Buddhism. The second
precept states, I will abstain from taking more than I need. This precept could be
interpreted from an environmental point of view, in that we should not take more from
the environment than we need and avoid displaying poor attributes of self-
indulgence. In the Vinaya of the holy Dharma, fully ordained monks are taught how
to nurture and care for trees. From this we understand that planting and nurturing
trees are virtuous acts. While Buddhists do not see that they will be punished by
God for desecrating the earth, they believe that actions can generate either good or
bad karma. This is a reason that Buddhists would abstain from breaking the
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Environmental Ethics Response
2

precepts. Also the notion of rebirth, samsara, relating to not harming any sentient
beings results in Buddhists not making a large distinction between products of the
environment and humans. The cycle of life, death and rebirth is intrinsically linked
with nature and as a result, Buddhist ethical teachings largely promote not harming
the environment to avoid generating bad karma and realise the importance of
preserving the environment for their journey of enlightenment, seen in the Buddhas
journey to nirvana.

Most Buddhists show great discernment and are not keen on the idea of a world that
is not earth friendly, this is represented in the underlying Buddhist ethical teachings
relating to pollution. The word Dharma, is symbolic for the teachings in Buddhism, it
is also synonymous for the word nature. This is because in Buddhism they are seen
as the same, as nature is the manifestation of truth and of the teachings. This alone
is promoting of the idea of preserving the environment, recycling and avoiding mass
consumption at the expense of natural resources and polluting the air and land. This
is emphasised in the academic article, written by a Buddhist monk titled Buddhism
and ecology, When we destroy nature we destroy truth and the teachings. The
benefits of a pure environment are many, for instance, a healthy tree purifies the air
and its shade provides a refreshing place to rest. Whilst this may be the case for any
person, Buddhist or not, in Buddhism trees are commonly symbolic of the Buddhas
path to enlightenment, seen in his enlightenment under the Bodi tree. The notion of
nature being calming and important for the sangha is reflective in the Buddha
preaching his first sermon at a deer park, rather than being inside, this portrays the
right meditation (one of the Eightfold paths) that meditating outside and
acknowledging cathartic nature may bring. It can be seen that when identifying the
link between the natural environment and its potential to assist enlightenment,
Buddhist narratives are filled with examples of the importance of the environment to
reaching nirvana. Just as environmental elements may aid in the path to
enlightenment, they can also interrupt ones right mind (Eightfold path) and generate
bad karma. This is seen in relation to noise pollution, e.g. loud music; may be
disruptive of a Buddhists meditation and lead to negative feelings towards the
person, leading to bad karma through disturbing another person. In many ways,
including the preservation of the environment for enlightenment related purposes
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Environmental Ethics Response
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and a means of avoiding negative karma, Buddhist teachings are highly reflective of
avoiding pollution as not only does it disturb sentient beings that may not be
necessarily human, but may disturb the mindset of Buddhists.

To combat the desecration of natural resources, such as water, Thailand has
introduced community programs such as nature conservation projects, especially to
highlight Buddhist teachings which relate to nature and conservation. Relevant
material includes instructions to not pollute water or green grass with urine or
excrement. The four noble truths advise Buddhist to renounce their desires. This
will have positive environmental consequences, as people will not be so reliant on
having more material possessions. This will result in being less conflict over limited
environmental resources such as water. Buddhist monks and nuns vow to follow
moral precepts that prohibit harming of the environment. There are vows for
protecting the purity of the water. Water is symbolic for its purity, calmness and
clarity and can aid in reaching enlightenment as it is an appeasing sight generally.
Additionally, the tranquillity of the mountain ranges is believed to provide the same
characteristics; to improve the state of adherents inner minds. Through emphasising
Buddhist teachings of preservation of natural resources in hopes that they will help a
Buddhist on their path to nirvana is largely the ethical considerations surrounding
environmental issues such as water wastage.