Ecology Through the Lens of Githa at United Nations
There are many environmental activists around the world today who are working to protect and preserve nature and the rights of other living beings. While they share a common goal, each has a different focus area and approach to implementation. In such a scenario, can we inspire a unified global movement rooted in dharma?
an activity that you initially understand and practice, and later the same supports you
Dharma refers to a set of practices that, when followed correctly and in the appropriate order, ultimately support the purpose of the practitioner(s). For example: you practice walking with some effort as a child, you put your time and energy into learning it and mastering it. After growing up, it is supporting you to do many activities. If you practice eating correctly, it will protect your health later. However, if the practice of eating is not properly learned and implemented âsuch as what, how, where, and when to eatâit may not support you but instead harm you.
Bhagavad Githa is the ultimate source of all dharma. Verse 3.11 saysâŠ
take care of the powers called de:va, invisible energies in nature
the: de:va: bha:vayanthu vaha |
let them take care of you
parasparam bha:vayanthaha
both of you benefit from each other
sre:yah param ava:psyattha ||
this is solution for the overall and ultimate well-being
Sri Krishna used the term de:va to refer to the invisible indwelling energies of natural elements such as air, water, soil, and sunlightâforces that provide essential life support. The verse explains the core founding principle of Ecology that we all must understand. He is advising us to clearly take care of them and that they will in-turn take care of us - thus fostering overall well-being.
How do we take care of them?
Not exploiting them beyond our needs. Everyone in life depends on or utilizes othersâwhether people or resourcesâfor their survival. A baby exploits the mother for milk. A partner exploits the other for pleasure. It is mutual and an exchange of compassion and love only when it stays in a limit. Beyond that, it becomes intolerable for the other. Therefore, taking care of nature means living within your limitsâusing resources only for your genuine needs, not for greed or luxury.
One may wonder how we reached the situation where we are currently exploiting the nature for meeting our greed - it could be ACs that we run, the luxury products etc?
There must be some wrong thought seeded in our minds for over centuries which drifted us away from the wonderful guiding principle as explained by Lord Krushna above.
What is the mistaken belief that led us astray?
The wrong thought seeded in our minds for generations is the most commonly believed principle âServing humanity is serving Godâ.
Believing that serving humanity is equivalent to serving God, we began exploiting natureânot just to meet basic needs, but also to fulfill ever-growing human greed. Gradually, we have reached a state where the exploitation crossed limits in many ways putting everyoneâs life on earth in risk and in danger for various illnesses and worries.
Ask yourselves the following questionsâŠ
Who is spoiling the soil?
Who is contaminating the water?
Who is polluting the air?
Do you still think serving humanity is serving God?
Based on the verse Lord Krushna explained, we must reconstruct the mistaken belief and seed the right thought into our minds. We must treat nature with respect as a divine blessing bestowed by mother Earth upon human beings. Hence, we must treat everyone and everything with respect and serve them [How to serve them - refer to - âHow do we take care of them?â section above].
Serve all beings as service to God! Let this principle unite us ecologically, connecting not just humans but all living beings through the eternal bond we share.
This is the principle that we all must follow and practice.Â
This is not a request. Nor is it a suggestion. It is a command.
From the address of the keynote speaker, HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
Environmental Consciousness, Conflict Avoidance and Dharma Traditions
Room XXI, Palais des Nations - UN, Geneva, Switzerland
The talk and panel discussion was organized by the UN University for Peace, UN Environment Programme, Jeeyar Educational Trust and Dharma Alliance.Â
HE David Fernandez Puyana, the permanent observer of the United Nations University of Peace saidâŠ
âI do not know what to say about His Holiness Chinna Jeeyar Swami.
His energy radiates lot of great thingsâŠ
In Him, I see and gatherâŠ
Commitment, Frugality, Kindness, Compassion, Wisdom, Tranquility, Calm, Faith, Humility, Sacredness, Resilience, Passion, Inspiration
Thank you for your thoughts, your words, your vision, and for your presence in this life.â
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Director, Faith for Earth Coalition, UNEP
Prof. P.B. Anand, Professor of Public Policy & Sustainability, University of Bradford, UK
Nora Lucia Caro Cabanillas, Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID)
Prof. Alessandra Consolaro, Bhagvan Adinath Jain Studies Programme, University of Turin, Italy
HE David Fernandez Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer, University for Peace
Prof. Jaya Krishnakumar, Professor Emeritus, University of Geneva
Damodara Priya Dasi, Deity-Worship Ministry for Germany and Austria, ISKCON
Dr. Prashant Sharma, Dharma Alliance
Acharya Vidyabhaskar, Omkarananda Ashram, Winterthur, Switzerland
The panelists said, âHighest representative of Hindu dharma to ever come to SwitzerlandâŠâ
