THE BUDDHA RECYCLED: WAYS BUDDHISM PROMOTES CARE FOR THE PLANET

Starting with the Buddha himself, Buddhism has always been concerned about the environment and promoted living in harmony with the planet and it’s needs. Here are some of those ways:

• The Buddha experienced his awakening outdoors beneath a tree;
• He continued to meditate outdoors and often taught in natural settings;
• The Buddha recycled. His first robe was made from discarded cloth he found in a village dump. There he gathered the material, cut it, sewed it and and dyed it to make a saffron colored robe which is common among Buddhist monks worldwide to this day.
• The first precept of Buddhism – to abstain from the taking of life – means giving respect to all living beings;
• The Buddha established monsoon retreats because he didn’t want monks walking and trampling new life forms which emerged during the rainy season;
• Buddhist teachers have traditionally stressed the importance of protecting mountains, rivers and mother earth;
• When the ancient Indian King Asoka became a Buddhist he applied Buddhist teachings to his government by planting trees, establishing animal hospitals, and offering only vegetarian meals out of the palace kitchens;
  
• Buddhist festivals and celebrations often include releasing captive animals;
• Right livelihood is one of the precepts of the Noble eight fold path which directs adherents to avoid jobs which harm the planet or hurt other beings;
  
• Buddhism promotes compassion, kindness, happiness and non violence applying these toward the planet and everything on it.

Like the Buddha, we should each continue to be mindful by looking closely at your own habits and lifestyles which contribute to pollution and depletion of natural resources.