An Ecosystem: Seeing via the Buddhist Theory of Dependent Co-Arising

Abstract

The theory of dependent co-arising has this quality and can
be applied in understanding the world, our present environment, as an
ecosystem. Human beings lived in harmonious with nature. They dwelled
in forest, caves and places endowed with natural water sources. They drew
on their environment for their basic needs in food, clothing, shelter and
medicine. Most of their tools were made roughly and simply from stone or
wood. They did not have machinery and modern equipment to ease their
day-to-day living. Therefore natural resources were, by and large, left to
prosper and flourish as men had not yet learned to capitalize on them.
Modern science and technology is very efficient tool for bringing about
development to the world, it is neutral by nature and it must be utilized and
controlled by a mature person, fully developed physically and spiritually.
Buddhism views man a part of nature. If nature is destroyed man cannot
live. By abusing nature, man abuses himself. Therefore, Buddhist ethics
would follow from the basic understanding of nature. Only if we agree on
this common ground, can we proceed to save the world.
Keywords: Ecosystem, Buddhist Theory, Dependent Co-Arising