(EcoDharma) Why EcoDharma Matters

[Doshin]

Some may ask why Buddhists should involve themselves in activist thought and actions to protect and restore Mother Earth.

I offer this….I spent my life working on environmental issues and I found the quote below well expresses my feeling after 55 years of being concerned for future generations and all biodiversity;

I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy… and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation and we, (Lawyers) and scientists, don´t know how to do that.”

Gus Speth

It is our way to help save all sentient beings as reminded in today’s ordination ceremony

Doshin
St

[Tairin]

Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Tokan]

Some may ask why Buddhists should involve themselves in activist thought and actions to protect and restore Mother Earth.

I offer this….I spent my life working on environmental issues and I found the quote below well expresses my feeling after 55 years of being concerned for future generations and all biodiversity;

I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy… and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation and we, (Lawyers) and scientists, don´t know how to do that.”

Gus Speth

It is our way to help save all sentient beings as reminded in today’s ordination ceremony

Doshin
St

This really resonated with me, thank you

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Naiko]

Thank you.

Naiko
st

[Kokuu]

[JasonC]

Thank you for sharing Doshin. This reminded me of something I read recently that resonated with me.

when he arrived at the cave, he found the Master sitting beside a dead fawn, weeping. Won Hyo was dumbfounded How could an enlightened being be either happy or sad, since in the state of Nirvana there is nothing to be happy or sad about, and no one to be happy or sad? He stood speechless for a while, and then asked the Master why he was weeping.
The Master explained He had come upon the fawn after its mother had been killed by hunters. It was very hungry. So he had gone into town and begged for milk. Since he knew that no one would give milk for an animal, he said it was for his son. "A monk with a son? What a dirty old man! people thought. But someone gave him a little milk. He had continued this way for a month. begging enough to keep the animal alive. Then the scandal became too great, and no one would help. He had been wandering for three days now, in search of milk. At last he had found some, but when he had returned to his cave, his fawn was already dead "You don't understand" said the Master. "My mind and the fawn's mind are the same. It was very hungry. I want milk. I want milk. Now it is dead. Its mind is my mind That's why I am weeping. I want milk." Won Hyo began to understand how great a Bodhisattva the master was. When all creatures were happy, he was happy. When all creatures were sad, he was sad. Won Hyo said to him. "Please teach me”

It is sometimes difficult not to be overwhelmed by the atrocities inflicted upon the planet and all creatures that call it home. The pain and suffering of creatures due to human "selfishness, greed and apathy" is keenly felt by those who care. "When all creatures were happy, [we are] happy. When all creatures were sad, [we are] sad."

Sorry to run long.

Gassho,

Jason

Sat Today

[andysmitharng7]

Thank you Doshin.


sat