Unfortunately, we tend to see ourselves as the smartest of all beings. Accordingly, being “wise ones,” we have misused, abused and destroyed species of animals, forests, mountains and natural resources. Additionally, our environment is seriously polluted because our internal environment (i.e., our mind) is seriously damaged. Bottomless greed pushes us to quench our unceasing internal fire, leading to destruction and environmental damage.
Early Buddhist legends detail many legends, prayers and stories that specifically dealt with humanity’s correct relationship with nature. All elements of nature were viewed as part of a unified structure. Each natural element had its own spirit. Accordingly, harmoniously co-existing many Buddhists performed ecologically sound practices, including avoiding digging the earth in certain places, defiling rivers, cutting trees, destroying the roots of grasses, disturbing the nests of animals or, generally killing of animals unnecessarily.
We do not have to abandon our desire for research, or the attainment of knowledge and truth. We can seek these worthy elements of knowledge while living in harmony with all beings and with nature. We must emphasize the interconnectedness of all elements of nature – both in the visible and the invisible worlds, teaching about the organic and the non-organic world and the relationship between the two. Greed ultimately brings harm. And that failing to recognize the consequences of our environmental impact will cause numerous ecological catastrophes.