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56 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS
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carbon emissions. We need to relearn that we are part or disease, which is a commentarial gloss. For your
of nature, and are not separate from it. Now is the information it has no parallel in the Sanskrit/Chinese
right time to put more effort in taking care of nature Āgamas but the story appears in Mahāvastu, a text of the
and wildlife. Humankind can play an active role in Lokottaravāda school of Early Buddhism. For details,
environmental protection and being eco-friendly. see Āyasmā Anandajoti’s \ excellent comparative study
at https://bit.ly/1PAcNPE.
From a Buddhist standpoint, environmental degradation
is caused by human greed and desire. Significantly, the There are a few references to drought and famine in the
Buddha recognizes the importance of the environment. Vinaya Piṭaka in which the Buddha relaxed some Vinaya
He emphasized the harmonious co-existence rules with regard to the offering of food, but none
between humans and nature which demonstrates his about how these calamities were overcome. However,
understanding of the interdependence among all living the Mahāvaṁsa, a Sri Lankan chronicle written in Pāli
things and their environment. verses, records that during the reign of the Sinhalese
King Upatissa II, a great famine and plague was instantly
Buddhists believe that the development of intuitive overcome by a pompous and ceremonious all-night
insight and wisdom can help to resolve environmental recitation of the Ratana Sutta by a great congregation of
problems through its adherence to the First Precept. monks.
When a person observes the First Precept of not
killing, he or she controls his hatred and cultivates Min Wei: The Covid-19 pandemic is an occasion for
loving-kindness as well as compassion. They seem to us to reflect on our actions more clearly. With every
fit perfectly with those values needed to overcome action one takes for self-care, such as washing hands, or
environmentally destructive behaviors. keeping a social distance, one is also protecting others.
In fact, many diseases occur because of our bad attitude
Geshe Dadul: In Buddhism, we are our own allies as towards the environment and wildlife and our careless
well as our own enemies. In this, the ultimate cure is actions and unhealthy food habits.
to bring loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom to
the center and go about our personal and professional In fact, the Buddha laid down rules for monks not
lives, including planning and carrying out scientific to spit or urinate on the grass. In the Mahāvagga,
research, from a place of genuine care and ardent Vatthakkhandaka, monks are required to dry bed sheets
responsibility, not out of greed, selfishness, and short and clothes every day. They are also required to sweep
sightedness. In this regard, regularly contemplating the and clean their dwelling places. It is a violation of
reality of interdependence and common humanity, and monastic rules to keep an untidy residence.
integrating the values of empathy and compassion in
our lives will go a long way in healing the damage to our In addition, the Buddha said that one should live in
environment. a suitable location or environment for good health
and peace of mind. One should eat moderately at
The Ratana Sutta mentioned a plague that affected regular intervals and take nutritious food to preserve
the city during the Buddha’s time. What can we good health. A moderate meal makes one physically
learn from the Buddha’s teachings in this sutta? comfortable and prolongs our lifespan.
Are there other references to natural disasters or
epidemics in the Buddhist scriptures during the Geshe Dadul: There were a few occurrences of warfare
Buddha’s time? during the time of Buddha that he helped resolve.
There is mention in Chapters on Monastic Discipline
Aggacitta: I have already commented on the Ratana [Skt:Vinayavastu] of Buddha relaxing certain rules for
Sutta and two suttas referring to upheavals of nature his disciples during a famine in Śrāvastī. Also, there is
due to moral laxity above. As I pointed out, in a popular story told of Buddha and his disciples having
the Ratana Sutta itself there is no reference to famine had to resort to horse food at another famine period.