Buddhist perspective on environmental protection

To spread the philosophy of life, for people, for the environment, Long Hung Pagoda (Dong Anh, Hanoi) is implementing the "For a Green Future" Project from July 2023. The project launched a movement to exchange trash for books. In which, everyone participates in sorting trash at home and bringing it to the pagoda to exchange for books and necessary recycled items.

Reporter of Natural Resources and Environment Newspaper had an interview with Venerable Thich Van Loi - Long Hung Pagoda (Dong Anh, Hanoi) about the Buddhist perspective on environmental protection today.

PV: Venerable Sir, the earth is currently warming up with many extreme weather phenomena, negatively affecting people and the environment. How do you view this issue from a Buddhist perspective?

Venerable Thich Van Loi: From ancient times until now, Buddhism has always been considered a religion that focuses on developing people's spiritual life, but most people do not clearly understand that Buddhism is related to the environment. In fact, Buddhism is very much related to the environment, because in a profound way, Buddhism is a religion of compassion, joy, and wisdom. When people look at all things and all problems in life with compassion and charity, we will not want to harm anything, including the environment.

brother-1(3).jpg — Venerable Thich Van Loi - Long Hung Pagoda (Dong Anh - Hanoi) talks about Buddhist views on environmental protection

Things like cutting down trees, burning forests, cutting mountains, and killing animals all damage the environment, causing global warming, climate change, etc., affecting the survival and development not only of nature and the earth but also of our own lives.

When we know how to apply Buddhism to live with a heart of great love for all beings, live with compassion, joy, and equanimity, love ourselves, love everyone, love humanity, love the living environment, love the earth, etc., then our own consciousness will want to protect and create a better life.

PV: According to you, how will the Buddhist perspective on environmental protection affect people?

Venerable Thich Van Loi: In Buddhism, there is a view of reincarnation, of reincarnation. If we reincarnate to this earth in the next life, but the current earth was destroyed by ourselves in previous lives, how can we live fully in the next life or the lives after that? For example, if we live now without knowing how to protect the environment, sooner or later, people will be affected by the bad actions we "sow" in the present; not only that, the bad seeds in destroying and destroying the living environment will accumulate to our descendants.

Therefore, protecting the environment needs to come from a sincere heart and true understanding so that each of us, when doing environmental protection work or other good deeds, can help everyone live a more useful life.

The Buddha taught that one should not cut down a tree that is taller than one’s head. If it is absolutely necessary to cut down a tall tree, one must bow to the tree every day for three consecutive days and say, “I am sorry, because this place requires building a house… I am sorry tree,” and then three days later one can cut down the tree.

PV: How has Hung Long Pagoda applied Buddhist teachings in environmental protection, Venerable?

Venerable Thich Van Loi: Environmental protection at Long Hung Pagoda also applies Buddhist teachings. In addition to sorting waste at source, keeping the landscape clean and beautiful, and planting many trees, Long Hung Pagoda is also implementing the project "For a Green Future" to raise Buddhist awareness about waste sorting, collection, and recycling.

Introduction corner of the Green Future Project at Long Hung Pagoda

On September 23-24, the project was widely disseminated to a large number of Buddhists and the public during a Dharma talk program at the temple to spread the meaning of this project.

During the regular Dharma talks and lectures of Long Hung Pagoda and Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, the pagoda also invites Venerable Monks and Venerables who have practical experience in practicing as well as have a very deep understanding of Buddhism, society, psychology, education and ethics to teach and share with everyone, so through that, we hope that everyone can access the energies in good things and right reasons...

Thank you very much, teacher!

Since its establishment (July 2023), the "For a Green Future" project at Long Hung Pagoda has collected more than 10,000 plastic bottles and more than 2 tons of paper and cardboard. The project also provides 3-color garbage bags for people to use and guides people to classify garbage. Recyclable waste including plastic bottles and cardboard is cleaned and brought to recycling facilities. For hazardous or difficult-to-treat waste, the project will support the purchase and bring it to units and facilities that process industrial waste.

In the coming time, the Project will build a mobile application to link from the place of garbage collection, classification, and gathering to the place of garbage treatment.

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