In this section, I will examine how Buddhism has interacted with nature and environment from its early stage up till today, especially focusing on the role of mindfulness. I will analyze ancient Buddhist texts and related writings, scholarly articles about the development of engaged Buddhism, and also modern practices.
a) Traditional Buddhist Mindful Meditation and the Environment: Non-harm and interdependence
The English word "mindfulness" is translated from the Pali term sati or Sanskrit term smriti (Gethin, 2011), which means remembrance with lucidity. Mindful meditation, in traditional Buddhist practice, aims for achieving a state of deep calm and attentiveness, and serves as an essential step towards reaching ultimate liberation (Buswell …show more content…
It is worth noticing that it is under a Bodhi tree that Shakyamuni Buddha achieved enlightenment. Since then, nature have been considered a “refuge”, especially in Theravada themes (Kaza, 2016: 7). Buddhism seems to have an innate inclination for nature. In terms of meditation, “the Buddha urged his followers to choose natural places for meditation, free from the influence of everyday human activity” (Kaza, 2016: 8).
In many philosophical ethics and principles in traditional Buddhism planted the seeds of later Buddhist environmentalism. One essential ethical concept present in traditional Buddhism is non-harm, or “ahimsa, the dictum of consciously avoiding harm to any other subjectivity” (Johnston, 2006: 79). From the earliest Buddhist texts, there have been “admonitions to treat plants, animals and water with respect” (Kaza and Kenneth 2000:2). From the following example, we can see the importance the Buddha attaches to being mindful of all creatures’ …show more content…
In other words, Buddhists have an “understanding of nature as relational” (Kaza and Kenneth 2000:2). Dogen, founder of the Soto sect of Zen and an important figure in Mahayana Buddhism thought that “the goal of meditation was nondualistic understanding or complete transmission between two beings”, and thus put the “method of direct knowing, experiencing this dharma of nature with no separation” at the center of his teachings (Kaza, 2016: 11). Mindful meditation was a practice for Buddhists to develop a deep and broadened sense of self, feel the oneness with non-human beings, and thus thrive with the nature
a) Traditional Buddhist Mindful Meditation and the Environment: Non-harm and interdependence
The English word "mindfulness" is translated from the Pali term sati or Sanskrit term smriti (Gethin, 2011), which means remembrance with lucidity. Mindful meditation, in traditional Buddhist practice, aims for achieving a state of deep calm and attentiveness, and serves as an essential step towards reaching ultimate liberation (Buswell …show more content…
It is worth noticing that it is under a Bodhi tree that Shakyamuni Buddha achieved enlightenment. Since then, nature have been considered a “refuge”, especially in Theravada themes (Kaza, 2016: 7). Buddhism seems to have an innate inclination for nature. In terms of meditation, “the Buddha urged his followers to choose natural places for meditation, free from the influence of everyday human activity” (Kaza, 2016: 8).
In many philosophical ethics and principles in traditional Buddhism planted the seeds of later Buddhist environmentalism. One essential ethical concept present in traditional Buddhism is non-harm, or “ahimsa, the dictum of consciously avoiding harm to any other subjectivity” (Johnston, 2006: 79). From the earliest Buddhist texts, there have been “admonitions to treat plants, animals and water with respect” (Kaza and Kenneth 2000:2). From the following example, we can see the importance the Buddha attaches to being mindful of all creatures’ …show more content…
In other words, Buddhists have an “understanding of nature as relational” (Kaza and Kenneth 2000:2). Dogen, founder of the Soto sect of Zen and an important figure in Mahayana Buddhism thought that “the goal of meditation was nondualistic understanding or complete transmission between two beings”, and thus put the “method of direct knowing, experiencing this dharma of nature with no separation” at the center of his teachings (Kaza, 2016: 11). Mindful meditation was a practice for Buddhists to develop a deep and broadened sense of self, feel the oneness with non-human beings, and thus thrive with the nature