Series: Environment

Environment- A Transcendental part of Religion

The most important principle of the environment is that you are not the only element.

The environment is nothing but it deals with our surroundings, the conditions in which we live, work and do everything.

The environment is also known as the natural world.

This paper has explained the relationship between Religion and the Environment.

India’s glorious heritage and inherent greatness lie conservation ethic represented in and conveyed by the Vedas, Charak Samhita, Gautam Buddha and Mahavira.

Our ancients defined that nature and human being are close to each other. The plants and animals should be the objects of unlimited kindness and benevolence since they make no demand for the sustenance.

The ancient law on environmental protection is found in Kautilya Arthashastra.

In the Indian context, the actual Religion is to protect nature.

The trees, water, land and animals gained important possible in ancient times.

But now we have forgotten our religion and our duty for our Environment or natural world.

‘Prakruti ke liye ladna Chodkar,

Logo ne ladna apni prakruti Bana li.’

In traditional society, Charak Samhita has given vital importance to the protection of the forest.

The destruction of forests is most dangerous for the nation and Human being.

Vanaspati has a direct relationship with the well-being the society.

Only the Vanaspati was medicinal qualities may enhance the nature and cure diseases of Human Beings. We have been warned through Charak Samhita that when air, water and other elements of nature are polluted, seasons start working against their routine or cycles, vegetations gradually begin to wither.

This is most dangerous for the nation and human beings.

Lord Srikrishna states that a righteous war is required against the persons who are involved in poaching, deforestation, ozone depletion polluting the environment.

He further proceeds to state that if he withdraws from this fight, he would be guilty of falling from his allotted duty and the environmentalists and other persons who have acquired world fame by the righteous acts would be utterly destroyed and lost.

The Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and other scriptures of Hindu religion give a detailed description of trees, plants, wildlife and their importance to society.

The Rig Veda portrays the beauty of morning in terms of Usha and its worship.

The Atharva Veda considers trees abode of various Gods and Goddesses.

The Yajurveda emphasizes that relationship with nature. Our ancestors knew that trees were friends of mankind and forests were necessary for human existence and civilization.

Vishnu dharma Sutra says that if you plant a tree it will be your son in the next generation.

The fundamental tenets of Buddhism are truth, non-violence, respect and love for living organism including trees and plants.

Jainism emphasizes on maintaining the harmony between man and nature.

GURU NANAK DEV JI SAID

‘Air is a vital force, water is the progenitor, the vast earth is the mother of all, day and night are nurses fondling all creation in their lap.‘

Hindu Religion gives some principles for protecting the environment.

Ø Respect nature and keep harmony with nature.

Ø Air, water, land and trees are the creations of God and we must protect them.

Ø Utilize natural resources in a rational manner and destruction of these resources mean the destruction of mankind.

Ø Purity of thought, expression and cleanliness of the environment around us should be observed.

Ø Everyone has the same right of existence.

The Holy Quran refers to the rules and regulations for the proper and meaningful directions of the different elements of nature without disturbing the balance between the different elements and forces of nature.

In the unitary Islamic perspective, economic, agriculture, environmental and ecological activities are seen as only a subset of a wider human effort to usher in a first and peaceful society.

Islam not only cares for the environment but encourages limited use of natural resources.

Christianity defines creation as an unfinished process initiated by God.

Real Religion is the attainment of this transcendental. Supreme, undying essence through constant and intense meditation.

And a pure mind we found from a good environment.

Spirituality and divinity nothing much it’s about surrounding and our surrounding about our environment.

Earth is not just our environment.

We are the earth and the earth are us. We have always been one with the earth.

‘God always forgives. Men forgive at times, but the earth never forgives!’ so treat your environment as your child.

“Taking care of the environment is not an obligation-

our environment is our life.”

-Sadguru

SAFE ENVIRONMENT