Buddhism and Environmental Protection

As a bee without harming the flower, its color or scent, flies away, collecting only the honey, even so should the sage wander in the village.

The great concerned of Buddha in the protection of tree is also depicted in this verse of Dhamma pada where Buddha had said:

Vanam chindatha ma rukkham 10

It means: Cut down the unnecessary brush (of the passion) but not a single tree. It has a great significant meaning in the sense that we should protect trees from unnecessary and unwanted bushes and grass which may hamper actual growth of the trees. It also signifies that we should cleanse impurities of our mind to achieve purity.

The instance of Ankura petavatthu of khuddaka nikaya also clears the Buddhist literature is much more devoted for protection of trees. In this petavatthu a trader named Ankur once took a caravan of a thousand carts from Dvaravati to Kamboja, LED by himself and a brahmin colleague. On the way their water supply fails, but they are befriended by a yakkha of great power, who, in his previous life, had been one of Ankura's trusted and loyal servants. The Brahmin noticing the powerful action of yakkha proposed him to take back to dvaravati for getting benefit from him. But other kind hearted persons did not accept the proposal of Brahmin saying that one who had served by providing water at the crisis should not be ill treated. In course of giving example, Brahmin said as a tree which gives shade and fruits, if necessary should also be cut down similarly the yakkha should be taken to the city in order to get benefit from him. But several people rejected his argument and said cutting the tree that gives shade and fruit is showing ungrateful so it should not be cut down rather it should be protected.11

Certain trees are taken as deities in Jataka 12. In Jataka there are several stories of Bodhisattva born as a Brikshye devata (tree sprite) which is actually a tree. According to Buddha one can be a tree sprite only when he accumulates pious by performing wholesome deed in the human life. There are more than a couple dozen births taken by Bodhisatva as a tree sprite.

Conservation of animals

There are also several discourses for preservation of animals and bird in Buddha's teachings. Animals and Birds are given equal important in the Buddhist literature.Buddha had taken several births as animals and birds and had performed several welfare activities for their community. Five precepts which are basic teachings of Buddha prohibit killing and slaughtering the animals. The Right lively hood of eight fold noble path prohibits to do trade of animals, meat etc. Monks also are not allowed to use the things made by bone, teeth and horn of an animals according to Ratana vagga pacittiya kanda 13. There are several Jatakas in which Boddhisattva as a leader got success in getting abhayadana (right to live without fear) from king for animal community. Hunting was one of the entertainments of Kings but the king who comes in contact with Buddha could not be seen going in hunting. In this way Buddha had given great contribution for preservation of animals which is the part of environmental protection

Good physical environment for spiritual development

The main goal of Buddha's teachings is to get free from defilement and bondage by attaining enlightenment. One can achieve enlightenment only when sufficient effort is done. Buddha had shown the clear path to attain enlightenment or Nibbana. It is making effort to practice of Sila (morality), Samadhi (concentration), and Panna(wisdom). Specifically the only one path that makes the people free from the bondage is practice of Satipatthana 14 or Vipassana which is calLED Buddhist meditation. For practicing this type of meditation good physical environment is essential. Buddha had said good environment is needed for the proper practice of meditation. The Buddha, Arahats and other Bhikkhus regard the tranquil, calm and quiet environment of the forests as an ideal site for meditation. Buddha is Satipatthana sutta had traced the proper place may be at the forest (arranna gato), under the tree (rukkhamula), calm and quiet place (sunnyagara) etc. Buddha also had attained enlightement in the Uruvela forest of Gaya under Bodhi tree.