Buddhism: Environmental Ethics Flashcards
Environmental ethics overview
Buddhist environmental ethics link early teachings to modern issues. Rooted in Dharma’s goal to end suffering via 5 precepts and 8FP
View Human craving that causes suffering + enviro harm -Dependent arising: interdependence + cause-effect = moral responsiblity + ecological stewardship.
Emphasises metta and karuna, non attachment and striving for Buddha-nature ‘higher conscience’ opposing forces like consumerism (three posions) fostering harmony w nature and future gens.
Mahayana Buddhism: EE stem from Bodhisattva ideal: compassion + commitment to alleviating suffering of all living beings.
-Compassion towards humans and non-humans has a high profile in the ancient and foundational Buddhist Pali Canon as well as in other writings: Buddhist literature features prominent injunctions not to kill any living being.
KARMA (can include in any paragraph) after death a human can be reborn as an animal reverence for environment.
dharma: All Buddhist teachings and practices come under the heading of the dharma (truth/path to truth)
Dynamic living religious as it can be applied to modern concerns
Karuna
Compassion: desire to see an end to suffering of others, encouraging acts of charity and advocacy – necessary to escape cycle
Metta
Loving kindness: universal for all things, necessary to escape cycle
5 precepts
Fundamental code of ethics for lay Buddhist
Develop mind and character – allow for perfect karuna and metta for enlightenment
Defined by 3 middle factors of 8FP (practice of sila)
4 noble truths
+ 2nd NT and 4th NT
Allow individual to understand and escape suffering. Answers to Buddha’s search for answers of suffering and evil.
2nd NT: Samudaya: cause of suffering is craving rooted in 3 poisons
4th NT: Magga: middle way between deprivation and overindulgence, way to remove sufffering 8FP,
Karma
Natural law of causation, encourages mindfulness, cycle of Samsara means that harming the environment leads to negative karmic consequences. Practicing good karma through ethical actions helps maintain harmony with nature., determines realm of rebirth, accumulates thus can have delayed effect that isn’t constrained by lifetime. All violent and destructive acts directed at enviro + sentient beings practice of negative karma. after death a human can be reborn as an animal reverence for environment.
Nirvana
Escape suffering, samsara and its causes. Central paradigm, state of spiritual fulfillment
Ahimsa
Explain
Core practice under sila (ethical conduct). principle behind the first precept Involves refraining from harming any sentient or non-sentient beings—rejects killing, violence, and environmental destruction. Reflects intrinsic value of all life, especially the vulnerable. Reducing suffering is a moral ideal—meat consumption causes immense animal suffering. While vegetarianism isn’t mandatory, harming animals for human benefit contradicts ahimsa = rising vegetarianism particulary among Mahayana Buddhisms = some lay Buddhist take bodhisattva vow. This influences choices around diet, products, and opposition to animal cruelty or experimentation. requires active intervention in suffering: Not merely the absence of violence…when something is wrong…we must help. (Dalai Lama XIV: an open heart.
Teachings of Ahimsa
1st of 5 precepts: ‘refrain from harming living beings’: bans killing or striking living beings
Links to Right Action and Right Livelihood (jobs that harm animals e.g. leather) in the eightfold path = encourages ethical living and compassion
Clear understanding that non-sentient nature also contributes towards enlightenment
1st noble truth ‘dukka’ that as creatures we suffer = aim of life is to relieve this suffering by practicing ahimsa
Samsara: all life is caught up in the cycle of rebirths = other lifeforms could be relatives
Anatta: personal need isn’t greater than any other beings needs e.g. vegetarianism
Practices of sila (1/3 trainings of 8FP): when embarking on the path Buddhist take a vow to refrain from harming others
Karma: violent and destructive acts directed @ enviro + sentient beings practice negative karma = bad realm of rebirth
KARUNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahimsa Sacred text
He who has renounced violence towards all living beings, weak or strong, who neither kills nor causes others to kill – him do I call a holy man (Dhammapada)
Ahimsa issues adressed
Meat consumption and animal exploitation
killing animals for food, eroding grazing lands and deforestation contribute to suffering/ harm: direct or indirect. Treatment of animals decided on principle.
Animal experimentation + exploitation = violation of ahimsa. violating the First Precept
Ahimsa Examples
Dharma voices for Animals (DVA) is a Buddhist animal rights group who encourage plant-based living across Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the US. In Sri Lanka they are advocating for a modern animal welfare law to replace the outdated 1907 ordinance which offers minimal protection to animals. Additionally, they have been making presentations at Dhamma schools were approx. 80% of Sri Lankan Buddhist Children attend. They talk directly to children, parents and teachings about the benefits of taking animal flesh and products out of diet.
King Ashoka ordered that animals no longer be killed, established animal hosipitals, edicts highlighted compassion towards animals.
Asteya
Buddhists are called to live a life of harmony with other beings and nature. 2nd precept: “don’t take what isn’t freely given” extends to avoiding overuse of natural resources—protecting them for future generations. BUDDHISTS FIND THEMSELVES IN HARMONY WITH NATURE BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF ALL LIFE.Rooted in mindfulness: consciously limit consumption, aware of harm from deforestation, mining, and overfishing—driven by greed and ignorance (2 of the 3 poisons). Promotes simplicity and non aggression towards nature revering all life – inspired by Buddhas example of living in harmony with nature –> enlightenment under bodhi tree. Ecological mindfulness and sustainability. Temples often exist in natural settings, symbolising interdependence (dependent arising) between humans, animals, and the environment—emphasising balance and mutual care e.g. - 700 forest monasteries in Thailand = enabled strong conservation of surrounding forests (theravada)
Asteya teachings
- To take a life or what isn’t yours breaches 2nd precept: “I will abstain from taking more than I need.” (consumerism and deforestation effect natural harmony of world)
- Right action and right livelihood: encourage ethical consumption, reduce waste, minimise harm to planet active participants to bring collective change/harmony
- Middle way promotes moderation and conservation
- Metta: underlying force of Buddhism one with all existence from the immediate environment
- 2nd noble truth: () cause of suffering = craving
Asteya sacred texts
“As the bee derives honey from the flower without harming its colour or fragrance, so should the wise interact with their surroundings”. Dhammapada
Asteya issues addressed
- INSPIRES ECOLOGICAL MINDFULNESS TO ADRESS THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSTIY
- Consumerism: depletes resources harms biodiversity (inspires ecological mindfulness to address biodiversity)
- Overuse of non-renewable energy contributes to environmental degradation (taking resources)
- Logging/deforestation: take away resources and habitats on sentient species
- Overfishing + overhunting
Asteya examples
- Theravada Buddhist community of Chalapathar Shyamgaon in NE India embodies Asteya: protects and restores local ecosystem. Prompted by near extinction of the bhungloti creeper (gives monastic robes saffron hue) they adopted a nearby forest replanting over 20,000 saplings and establishing a biodiversity park to combat illegal logging and poaching. Demonstrating that true stewardship is both a spiritual duty and a commitment to living in harmony with all life.
Noble Eightfold Path
Provides structure for individuals and institutions to create lasting postitive change, engaging in this path reduces environmental suffering and destruction
Guides followers to acheive the MIDDLE WAY: Focuses on balance, avoiding extremes like overconsumption and resource exploitation (linked to greed, one of the 3 poisons).
Enviro exploitation = excess to avoid
Prefixed with “right,” signifying wholesome practices that avoid increasing dukkha. Uplifting actions counter the suffering of overconsumption, offering deeper joy than material excess.
8FP Beliefs
Karma: exploiting nature = serious consequences
Human state connected to prajna (wisdom), samadhi (reflection) and sila (ethical action): guide to treat nature w compassion and care: work 4 nirvana.
Ethical conduct via sila (right action) reduces environmental harm:
Right Action: Promotes non-harmful deeds, minimizing environmental damage (e.g., reduce carbon footprint, avoid deforestation, oppose animal cruelty). RECYCLING
Right Livelihood: Encourages righteous work, avoiding harmful professions (e.g., butchery, deforestation, animal testing).
Buddha = role model –> endured luxury and asceticism
8FP issues adressed
overconsumption and reliance on harmful industries contradicts ethical teachings
- Seeks to avoid extremes of life e.g. waste or misuse of earths resources
Examples
(THERAVADA) Uttar Pradesh’s ODOP initiative is a powerful example of ethical entrepreneurship aligned with Buddhist principles of Right Action and Right Livelihood. In Prayagraj, for instance, the program actively supports the production of eco-friendly Moonj products crafted from renewable local grass, which not only preserves traditional artisanal skills but also minimizes environmental impact. By fostering sustainable local industries and providing ethical employment, this initiative exemplifies how communities can harmonize economic growth with environmental stewardship finding the ‘middle way’
8FP Sacred Text
“Following this Path, you will make an end of dukkha. Having myself known the Path which can lead to the removal of the thorns of moral defilements, I have shown you the Path”
