Ecology and Craving

Ecology and Craving

Ashin Sàsanavamsa

 

Abstract

An ecosystem is very important and everybody should know much about ecosystem. Some people think that the world and the environment are for them only. It is mis interpretation. Indeed, mankind is a part of nature. Besides that, mankind cannot exist without other living beings and inanimate things. And next one is the craving or attachment of human. Mankind is the cleverest in all living beings and also the greediest. The objectives of this small paper are to make humans conserve the environment,  reduce their craving and nurture Metta- loving kindness or benevolence.

Key word; ecology, craving, Vipassana, loving kindness, environment, humankind and all beings.

 

Introduction

        The environment is  home to humankind and all living beings. Humans should not make the cause of devastation of the environment or nature. However, there is an increasing population in the world today.  Therefore , they extract natural resources excessively. Now a days, we can see the damage of natural surrounding causes; increasing human population, continually increasing economic growth or per capita affluence, and the application of resource depleting and polluting Technology. Now, the illness of the natural environment is a big threatening for the humankind and other living beings.

        From the Buddhist point of view, what is the cause of damage for natural environment and ecosystem? The Buddha taught that '' Mental perception is the lead in mind that causes everything to happen. It is founded on our thoughts. Our life is the creation of our mind which is supreme.[2] Therefore, in accordance with Buddhism, mind is important natural law. Here, mind is meant the endless craving (Lobha) and inconsiderate ignorance (Moha) of the people so on. I am trying to find the solution to problem of ecosystem based on mind.

        The mind is difficult to control; swiftly and lightly it moves and lands wherever it pleases. The passion bound mind is like an oasis for defilements. What does it mean by the control of mind? The mind is naturally movable, it is fickle, and controlling this nature of mind is subjugation. The uncontrolled mind always generates passions. Here, the factors like passion (rāga), hatred (dosa), delusion (moha) and in addition to these jealousy, envy(issã), anger (kodha), intoxication (mada), conceit (māna), sloth and drowsiness, (thina-middha), excitement and flurry or worry (uddhacca-kukkucca ), doubt  (vicikicchā ), all these factors defile the mind.  There is no escape from this mind which is full of defilements. It is constantly burning with the fire of lust, hatred and delusion etc. Nibbāna is shown as the extinction of this fire. Nibbāna is defined as "Rāgakkhayo, dosakkhayo, mohakkhayoti Nibbāna''[3]. That mind which is freed from rāga (lust), dosa (hatred), and delusion (moha), is called the passionless mind. The mind that is freed from passion is the best. Passionless is the best of norms.

What is Ecology

        An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (thing like air, water and mineral soil) interacting as a system.[4]

        According to Oxford dictionary, '' All the plants and living creature in a particular area considered in relation to their physical environment.[5] There are many Ecosystem in the world. They are Aquatic Ecosystem, Terrestrial Ecosystem, Marine Ecosystem and Freshwater Ecosystem  etc. But, here, It is not meant only ecosystem. If it say ecosystem, it is inclusive the environment. Because ecosystem is a part of the environment. So, we should know about the environment. In Oxford dictionary, environment is mentioned that the conditions that affect the behavior and development of sb/sth, and the natural world in which people, animals and plants live.[6]

        In accordance with Cambridge dictionary, it is called environment that nature- the air, the water and land in or on which people, animals, plants live and Surroundings- the conditions that you live or you work in and the way that can be effect you how you feel and how effectively you   can work.[7] Gnanarama said that Surrounding conditions influencing growth and development are known as Environment.[8]

What is Craving (Lobha)

        Lobha from √lubh, to cling or attach itself, may be rendered attachment or clinging. Some scholars prefer greed. Craving is also used as an equivalent of Lobha. In the case of a desirable abject of sense, there arises as a rule, clinging or attachment.  The side effect of the Lboha is three kinds. They are wrong thought, wrong effort and wrong concentration. And, when the Lobha is, Dosa (to be displeased) and Moha (delude or bewilderment) are arising. According to Abhidhamma, Moha is common to all evil. Lobha and Dosa do not arise alone but always in combination with Moha. Moha, on the other hand, does arise singly- hence the designation Momaha- intense delusion. These three kinds are called the root of evil.[9] The definition of the lobha is many in the Tipitaka. Here, it is enough above mention.

How to related with ecosystem and Lobha (craving)

        Human kind depends on the environment for living. People need the fresh air, water and clean food. Vegetables are cultivated on the ground. Meat and fish are arrested in the ocean, sea, river, stream and pond. And cotton cloth, animal's skin or leather and wool are gotten trees and animals. For building, brick, sand and rock or stone are taken over on the ground.

        Ecosystem or Environment is outer world. Lobha is inner world. Lobha appears based on mind. People behave as their inner desire. So, the inner world influences the outer world. People do a lot of work based on inside. And human kind have become greedy since they tire to solve their problems that are food, clothing, and living. There are two kinds of greed: suitable greedy and un suitable greedy. Here, I mean the un suitable greedy. Un suitable greedy means very big wants, avarice to conquer others and to want material things in an unjust way. It means to do business in the wrong way, not right way. I will talk about four parts of greed. These include food-stuffs of buy and sell, drugs, human trafficking and natural Environment.

1. Food seller should sell only at a reasonable profit. Do not trade with a bad spirit. Products that should not be short-lived should not be produced for own business, and sellers should not be humane. Consumption of counterfeit oils and various chemicals and drugs to consumers, consumers suffer from malnutrition and suffering until death. This has caused a great deal of damage to the ecological system, the living organisms. These disadvantages are the result of unfair business practices.
2. In today's business, trafficking is a passion for selfish people. Profit from the distribution of drugs is a major reason. According to a UN report, the value of retail drugs in the black market is U$ 321.6 Billion. The selfishness of the bigots has a great impact on humanity. The drug tread has not slowed down despite laws being enacted despite effective laws.  This is an unfair businessmen's opportunity. Currently, drugs are damaging young people's lives and the greatest threat to human society.
3. In connection with human trafficking, the Buddha taught that no one should make a living by trading human beings.[10] Trafficking is the result of greed and greed, and trafficking is a form of slavery. Trafficking of victims of trafficking victims suffer to the point of death with prostitution. Today, trafficking is the third highest crime after drug and drug trafficking. It is estimated that there are some 20 million victims of trafficking during the year, with an estimated net worth of 40 billion US dollars.[11] According to the International Labor Organization, there are approximately 40.3 million victims of human trafficking worldwide.[12] The main cause of human trafficking is lack of job opportunities and lack of knowledge. By exploiting greed people exploit children and women in rural villages with little knowledge of trafficking. In addition, children sexual abuse is a result of excessive greed, and human's greed is also affected by the killing of other organisms. They do not leave any extinct species.
4. Aggressive people cannot discern the good and the bad. Greed blinds the eyes of human being. Greed is futile and cause trouble.[13] Selfless people do not think of any damage for their own benefit. Natural resource depletion caused by human and other organisms causing deforestation, and deforestation. In today's climate extreme temperatures, high temperatures, rising sea levels and global warming are the consequences of greed. In addition, the use of unscrupulous equipment by the businessmen increases the carbon dioxide and the oxygen supply to the world. Because of the immorality of the people, the deterioration of the climate, the deterioration of the crops and prolongation of the diet. 

 

How to Control or Reduce the Craving

        By reducing greed, the environment is preserved. How to reduce greed? The opposite of the greed is non-greed. In other words, it is contentment. If we can control our greed, then our anger and ignorance are restrained. In Myanmar, we are suffering from annual floods caused by the reckless logging of a group of greedy dictators in Myanmar. The one who has the opposite of greed can maintain in his life. It can be cool, knowledge of compassion in the pursuit of wealth. He does not follow greed; Unselfish. So, morality is not broken. The profession is pure. Although there is no material wealth, there is complete happiness. A person who is not contented is never satisfied when he seeks material things, driven by greed. Breaking the law of the moral code of the country and following one's greed brings suffering to yourself and to others. It is important that we do not have unwanted ideas in our mind to control greed. By using our mental energy and concentrating our mind on what is good, we can overcome greed. We must strive to respond calmly to feeling of desire and emotion. The Buddha said that contentment is the highest of all wealth. If you live content with your material possession, life will be peaceful and you will not be harmed by any other living being. Our ancient ancestors were honest. They strive for justice and make living for themselves. They are contented and have a happy and healthy life.

        Another way to control greed is to try to acquire Vipassana. It is the practice of mindfulness practice that the mind can eliminate craving, distractions and ignorant. Here, the term Vipassana means to speak of Buddhism. I don't know the meaning and the meaning of the ways in which other religion work. Here is a brief summary of Vipassana as follows:

        Vipassana meditation is an awareness meditation. It teaches you to be with the present moment, to live in the present moment. It teaches to be aware of everything that come to you and is happening to you. Only the present moment is important. And everything that comes to you at the present moment through the six doors- eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind- is to be noted, to be watched, to be observed as the object of awareness. When you practice Vipassana meditation, by making mental notes or just watching the various things that come to you, you will bring awareness to a high level so that you will be able to see thing as they truly are. If you practice Vipassana, you choose an object on which to focus your mind. That object will be the home object of meditation. Traditionally, the breath is taken as the object. You keep your mind focused on the breath and make mental notes " in -out, in - out" along with the breath. During the nothings of the breath when your mind gets lost or distracted, you make notes of them too, such as thinking or hearing or distractions or emotion so on. And also you make notes of feelings in your body. In this way, you keep yourself aware of everything that is happening in you or that comes to you through the six sense doors.[14]

        Another way is radiating Mettà bhàvanà. We can control our greedy mind by nurture in Mettà bhàvanà. Developing again and again one's benevolence for the welfare of other is called Mettà bhavanà- cultivation of loving kindness. But, it is not merely to recite and not to be satisfied with the mere recitation of the Sutta. Mettabhàvanà should begin with oneself. First of all, concentrate your mind on the person whom you want to radiate loving kindness till you come to see his body from head to toe, as his photo. That way is called intentional loving kindness. (Uddissa Mettà)[15] Then, radiate your loving kindness to him. "May he be happy, May he be free from danger!"[16]

       Now, coming to the cultivation of loving kindness for all beings. "Sabbe sattà averà hontu, avyàpajjhà hontu."[17] That is called un-intentional loving kindness- Anodissa mettà.[18] On the other hand, the method of loving kindness is Disàpharaõa Mettà-  sending to ten kinds of districts. When you are accustomed to that practice, it will not be difficult for you to radiate your loving kindness to all being in all directions.

Environmental Ethic

        In 1970, thinker introduce the term environmental ethic. The relationship between man and the world is explored. There are three main causes of environmental morality. [19]

1. Innovative Technologies in the Environment: Human dominated technologies are extremely influential in the environment. The moral implication of human behavior, therefore, should be analyzed.

2. New Environmental Knowledge: Human behavior has changed the world over the past few decades. Science has now proven that humans have changed the human world and are continuing to change.

3. The Broad Moral Field The Key Questions In The Field Of Environmental Ethic are: Does the field of human ethics also include non- humans? Does the nature and other living beings have a chance? Is it responsible for creating the environment for next generation? The question is whether or not natural resources should be used to the fullest. Over the centuries, humans have forgotten about the environment. The environment contributes to the enjoyment of human food and employment. Now the humane environment is about to be restored. Therefore, when it comes to human development, we should also take note of the five points that relate to the world. These include population, energy, consumption, nutrition and climate. It is only by taking note of these five points and keeping balance.

Earth as Home

Earth is the only Home and the Treasure-trove of all mankind, not only of those living at present, but also of those yet unborn. No single individual or nation owns the world. Men are only birds of passage. As Eric Fromm interprets: mankind has to learn 'to be' (meaning to live and let live comfortably), and not 'to have' (meaning to possess with jealousy and combat for ownership). A healthy philosophy of life for man is as Trustee who would conserve and attempt to leave the world a little better than what he found. Buddha Dhamma accepts no Almighty Creator God as the uncaused first cause of the world and its progeny. In the Brahmanimantanika sutta of theMajjhimanikāya[20] the view that Mahā Brahma is the Creator and Father of all who were and who will be, is criticized and fallacious ( Mahā Brahmāabhibhū anabhibhūto aññadatthudāso vasavatti issaro kattā nimmātā setthosañjitā vasi pitā bhūtabhavyānam).[21] The Buddhist view is that it is the human being who can rise through the evolutionary ladder to the apex of spirituality. Such a sage is called an Arahant or a Buddha. Bhagavā is another frequent epithet applied to the Buddha. It is the semantic English equivalent of 'God' with a capital 'G'. Endowed with knowledge and conduct (vijjācarna sampanno) he teaches both gods and men (satthādeva manussāna) the way to reach spiritual maturity for liberation. It is the responsibility of man himself to follow instructions and shape his own destiny.

 

Suggestions

        No creature in the world can live without the environment. Today, environmental degradation is uncontrolled and environmental conservation is being done by organizations and individually. Everyone should be able to preserve nature and take care of the environment. If we do not appreciate the greatness of nature, we will suffer many consequences. People do not have different needs and wants. Satisfying the need may be used. Satisfying the will can be wasteful. For example, getting a car is a must. Two sets are desirable. As a result, carmakers have to produce another car for him. The resources are used again for that car. In this way the more damage, the more output. The other accessories are the same. Most people are victims of greed and are following their desires. There is a difference between want and need. The fact remains that it is still too much in production or consumption. This excess is the major cause of environmental damage.

        Human make the most of the environment. Human use the environment in a various ways day and night. Cows eat only grass. Birds eat only fruits. Other living things use only their own. Human use all the natural resources of the environment. The human need is enormous. Therefore, it is personal to look of for the culprit in the environment. Mahatta Gandhi[22] says that the world can meet people's need But he could not fulfill the people's greed. People are greedy when they have many needs. As a result, when much of the needs was combined with great greed and the entire environment was destroyed. Therefore, the best way to protect a damaged environment is to build a more civilized and ethical society. We must educate people about the environment. We must teach our generation to love the environment. Individual and national education should be provided.

        In this way, humanity is responsible for repairing and repairing the degraded environment due to the unsustainable selfishness of humanity. How can we fix this here? There are various answer to the questions on how to prevent the destruction of natural resources. Some say that it is easy to find a way to use the ever-growing technology and science. That is to some extent true. But the cost is huge. It is important to consider whether or not it can be repaired in a timely manner. More important, the question is to what extent does the desire to conserve a degraded environment affect human? Developed countries and developing countries are focused on one single development and consistently doing so. Moreover, luxury consumption cannot be controlled by science and other technologies. The greedy craving must be maintained emotionally and not by science and technology. Therefore, the Buddha taught that it can cleaned mind's impurities whit mind so also water must be purified from water as well as cleansed by impurities.[23] And it is time to be aware of the voices of environmentalists who say that it is time to correct the behavior that is just trying to satisfying greed.

 

 

Conclusion

        Scholars often ignore religion when it comes to finding ways to conserve the environment. This small paper highlights environmental conservation approaches from Buddhism. The Buddhism's main manifestation is the healing of the mind. It is possible to reduce environmental degradation by maintaining a  morale based on the right perspective. With the right perspective, people need to have an accurate view of perspective of the environment. From the perspective right, it is right practice. We will get good things from our good works. Therefore, today conservationists in the East and West, I believe, would be really benefical if they studied the Buddha's teachings and applied them to their process.

 

References

    1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ecosystem

     2.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Third edition.

     3.Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Third edition.

4. Nyanarama,  An approach to Buddhist Social philosophy,  second edition,    Printed in    Singapore, 2005

5. Nadara Thera,A Manual of Abhidhamma, Union Ministry of Religious Affairs  and Cultures, Yangon, Myanmar, 2016

6. Buddhaghosa, A Shin , Dighanikaya 3,  commentary , Union Ministry of Religious Affairs and Cultures, Yangon, Myanmar,

7. Ma Thoung Win, (Old angel), Speeches Anti-Human Trafficking Day,

8. Report, International Labor Organization

9. Buddhaghosa A Shin, Dighanikaya 1,  commentary, Union Ministry of Religious Affairs and Cultures, Yangon, Myanmar,

10. Silananda, A shin, Dr,  Introduction to Vipassana Meditation, printed Yangon, 2016

11. Thittila, A shin, Essential Themes of Buddhist Lectures, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yangon, Myanmar, 1992

12. Buddhaghosa, A shin, Suttanipata, commentary Union Ministry of Religious Affairs and Cultures, Yangon, Myanmar,

13. Han Win, Dr, Five things need to know about the world. Philosophy Journal, printed Yangon, 2019

14. Suttanta Pitaka, Brahmanimantanika Sutta,