The Dhammic Life Which Is Still a Secret
Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives C00898
How does Dhamma and the laws of Dhamma or nature relate to ecology in one’s duty towards the environment?”
~ Response by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
Everything that could be called an ecosystem or an ecology is under the law of nature, which governs all ecosystems and all ecology, and stipulates how things work. For example if things are done in this way, our environment will be dirty, but if things are done in that way our environment will be clean. The law of nature itself just governs how causes and results interact. As for our responsibilities or duties regarding the environment, this is something that human beings create themselves and so that’s something human beings must discover and decide among themselves. If those responsibilities which human beings decide upon are incorrect according to the law of nature, then the result of those responsibilities will be pain, trouble, and dukkha. However if those responsibilities are correct in terms of the law of nature, then the results will be well-being, comfort, and peace. So if we speak about the responsibility towards the environment, we should understand that it be in line with the duty according to natural law, which is the third meaning of the word Dhamma.
From the retreat “The Dhammic Life Which Is Still a Secret,” as translated from the Thai by Santikaro
Dhamma Questions & Responses sessions were offered by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu in 1990-1991 to foreign meditators attending Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage courses.
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