Environment And Animals

Question 0

In Hinduism what is time thought to be?

Answer 0

Cyclical - things will be made and destroyed, as a new era will begin

Question 1

What are the 2 common stories of creation?

Answer 1

The world was originally made out of nothing …

1. Aum (sacred syllable) drove nothingness away
2. Purusha’s (cosmic man) body divided up to make different aspects of nature

They show that God cares about nature because he cared enough to make it

Question 2

What are Hindu beliefs towards nature and the universe?

Answer 2

• God cares, because he cared enough to make it
• there is a oneness in the universe & nature
• the universe was created by God & God is present in it
• the human soul should seek union with the eternal law of nature to find peace with God

Question 3

What are Hindu attitudes to the physical world?

Answer 3

• Humans are responsible for the most damage
• Karma teaches resources will become scarce if we use them for our own purposes - they should be preserved for future existence (reincarnation)
• All living things have an atman, so they should all be respected (animals + plants)

Question 4

Give an example of a group of people who preserve the physical world

Answer 4

The Chipko movement treated rivers, trees and other natural features with respect. They practised Ahimsa & resisted the destruction of trees in 1970 in the Himalayas (by tree-hugging).
Similar protests look back to 300 years before

Question 5

What are Hindu attitudes to the animal kingdom?

Answer 5

• all living things have souls, and so should be protected & treated with compassion
• cows provide nourishment to humans (fuel, dairy produce + fertiliser)
• some Gods are associated with animals (Ganesh & Hanuman), as well as vehicles
• the Laws of Manu state:
  ‘The slaughter of animals obstructs the way to heaven’