Most of you are aware of the Climate Conference in Lima, Peru. Did you watch any of the videos of Peruvian farmers’ interviews? Those tell a whole lot about why the world needs to seriously wrestle down climate change.
If you want real human stories on the effect of climate change on ordinary people, don’t look to politicians (except bold, thoughtful and sincere leaders like Barack Obama and Xi Jinping). Listen to the farmers – anywhere in the world. You will hear stories of their hardships. You will hear stories of their being driven out of farmland by greedy developers backed by corrupt politicians. You will hear their struggle for survival, their anxiety and uncertainty about tomorrow.
As deforestation goes unchecked, water sources dry up, and land grabs for development accelerates, one can not but wonder how this all came about.
One of the root causes is the decline of spiritual values. Especially amongst policy makers, capitalists, and multi-national corporations.
What do Hindu spiritual teachings tell us about nature and our environment?
From the earliest days, reverence for the environment has been an integral part of Hindu civilization. Our ancient forefathers perceived God’s presence around them through nature; they considered the natural forces which affected their lives as manifestations of the Supreme Being – Brahman.
The immense wisdom of the founders of Hindu civilization made them realize that these divine natural forces were not only necessary for the sustenance of humans, but also for the sustenance of all living things around them – animals, plants, fish, and all organisms. They understood that they must live in harmony with all of God’s creations, respect and revere nature and the divine forces, which they identified as air, water, earth, fire, and sky. These elements are an integral part of Hindu worship, as are rivers, forests, animals, and the Sun. Vedic philosophy describes ecology as integral to human existence.
The far sightedness of the Hindu sages is evident in Vedic hymns, because, in ancient times, natural resources were plentiful and the capacity of nature to heal itself was greater than the harm inflicted on nature by human activity. However, Hindu sages realized that for sustainable development, preservation of nature was essential, as expressed in Isha Upanishad:
Everything in the universe belongs to the Supreme God.
Therefore take only what you need, that is set aside for you.
Do not take anything else, for you know to whom it belongs.
Hindu belief says: Everything in the universe is a manifestation of Brahman. Therefore, we must see divinity in everything.
Hinduism teaches us that we should use the world unselfishly in order to maintain the natural balance. Mahatma Gandhi delivered inspirational messages for the environmental movement: “The earth has resources to meet everybody’s needs, but not anybody’s greed.” “We must limit our wants and live lives of simplicity.”
Hinduism stresses that true happiness comes from within, not from material possessions. Material possessions should not be allowed to dominate life. Exploitation of this world is contrary to our central purpose of life.
Ancient Hindu literature strongly advocates the duties of rulers in the preservation of the environment. In today’s world, preservation of the environment should be a prime duty of politicians, lawmakers, heads of corporations and businesses.
In mankind’s struggle to sustain the earth's environment for the future generations, Hinduism’s perceptive views of ecology, its notions of trusteeship of earth resources and its reverence for nature as a sustainer of humanity, offer deep understanding and answers to our current ecological crisis.
Suresh Basrur practices the Hindu faith, participates in inter-faith activities in Victoria and speaks to audiences about Hindu religion, philosophy and practices.
