Page 18 - Applied Buddhism
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against them. In the modern context, substantial amount of water is also used for
industrial and commercial purposes, such as electricity generation,
In the Vinaya, the Buddha showed great concern for the and for manufacturing of goods and food. As such it is now impossible
conservation of water resources. Hence, it is against monastic rules not to attach a financial value to water. Furthermore, while water
for a monk to throw excrement or urine in the water. A monk is also may be considered naturally available, hence construed to be free,
required to restrain from spiting in water. the processes involved in cleaning and piping water involved much
financial investment. Hence, from a practical perspective, it is not
Other advices given by the Buddha included how a toilet viable to have free water supply.
should be constructed to keep away smell, and how a bathroom
should be constructed with drainage around the bath area to avoid Furthermore, when water is available free or at very low rate,
creating a swamp and proposed that it be covered with stone or there would be rampant wastage by consumers, which would be
bricks. He also suggested that wells should be covered with a lid so against the principle of conservation of water.
as to preserve clean water.
I understand that those who fight for water as a fundamental
From the Buddha’s teaching it is apparent that one should right are not advocating free water for everyone; they are merely
preserve water resources and not pollute them. Unfortunately, it is against the over-profiteering of water to fulfill the greed of certain
embarrassing that modern men are now polluting their own water quarters. This stand is inline with Buddhist philosophy which is
resources by discharging industrial and domestic wastes into rivers against the gratification of our human greed, especially when it is at
and water conservation areas. Such uncivic-minded acts could not the expense of exploiting the fundamental needs of others.
be curtailed by education alone. More effective law-enforcement is
required to curb this problem.
(Presented at an inter-religious forum on “United for Water: Religions Speak
The Buddha also suggested covered wells be constructed along on the Rights to Water” held at NUBE, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on 4th Aug,
the highways. This was the early form of public water supply. 2007.)
Now, let us deal with an issue of public water supply in the
modern context. Should water be made available to everyone for
free as it is a basic right of a human being?
In the past, water is used for irrigation, agriculture, transport,
and of course domestic uses such as drinking, cleaning, and cooking.
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