BUDDHISM
OVERVIEW
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived in northern India approximately 2,500 years ago (around 550 BC). Central to Buddhism is the belief that all life is connected and interdependent. Therefore, Buddhists believe that we should respect and preserve all life.
Today there are nearly 500 million followers worldwide, making Buddhism the fourth largest religion in the world. Nearly all Buddhists live in the Asia-Pacific region, with half of the world's Buddhists in China alone. Seven countries have Buddhist majority populations, according to the Pew Research Center, including Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Laos and Mongolia.
'Let him not destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any life at all, nor sanction the acts of those who do so. Let him refrain from even hurting any creature, both those that are strong and those that tremble in the world.'
– Sutta-Nipita, one of Buddhism's oldest scriptures
BELIEFS & VALUES
Buddhist beliefs & values share much common ground with conservation.
Connection to the life of the Buddha: The forest is holy. It is the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, where he lived and died. The Jataka tales of the Buddha’s past lives directly link Buddha with the forests, trees, spirits and animals.
Interconnectedness: All beings are connected, and therefore respecting ecosystems is of great importance.
Ahimsa: Do no harm to other beings. At the heart of Buddhist teachings is the desire to end suffering: one’s own and of others.
Simplicity & moderation: Live simply, which calls for the importance of sustainable lifestyles.
Right Livelihood: Earn your living without causing harm or taking more than you need.
Karma: Protecting life forms results in good karmic retribution; causing harm incurs negative karma.
Continuity of karmic life: A human can be reborn as an animal or has been one in a past life.
BUDDHISM & THE ENVIRONMENT
Thaye Dorje, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa and spiritual head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu Buddhist lineage, is a passionate environmentalist. In a deeply personal essay in the journal Conservation Biology, he explains how he was shaped by his childhood in a Drokpa (Tibetan nomad) family in the wild eastern part of Tibet. 'It was a simple existence and my daily joy consisted of exploring the nearby mountains with my pet goat,' he recalls. 'As I grew up and began studying Buddhist philosophy and teachings, I discovered great harmony between Buddhism and the environmental movement.'
EXPLORE BUDDHIST ACTION IN CONSERVATION
There are nearly 500 million Buddhists today, living primarily in East and Southeast Asia.
In many Buddhist countries there has been a proliferation of Buddhist-based environmental activism. In Thailand, where years of destructive logging caused severe flooding and drought, there has been considerable documentation of the ‘Ecology Monks’, who since the mid-1980s have been active in highlighting deforestation. Their activism has inspired engaged Buddhist environmental action in other countries, notably Cambodia.
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In the Himalayas, where Tibetan Buddhist traditions remain strong, monks are protecting threatened species like snow leopards and connecting Buddhist teachings to safeguarding the environment. Environmentally active monks strive to reduce the suffering that comes from environmental destruction, and base their engagement on Buddhist virtues such as compassion and non-violence.
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STORIES FROM THE FIELD
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Key guidance documents
Interested in getting a collaboration or a project going with a faith community but not sure where to start? Check out these key guidance documents.
