华严论坛：佛教對環境問題的解決之道——李重碩

Buddhist Solution for Environmental Issues

佛教對環境問題的解決之道

李重碩教授/Prof . Hwaryeong Lee (韓國/Korea)

Director, Central Education Center of Buddhist Chongji Order/
韩国佛敎摠持宗中央敎育院长

Today, the natural disasters caused by environmental pollution are threatening the survival of human beings. The slogans by social organizations or governments are not powerless in preventing of such disasters. Human beings must grope for the ultimate solution for environment pollution. Otherwise, human beings will soon receive the entire karma effects from what they have done. Such karma effects will bring loss of lives and fortune, shortage of food and water, and various diseases.

We should find out the solution from Buddhism in order to prevent such disasters. Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes coexistence, will provide philosophical foundation as well as concrete method to prevent environmental pollution and save the earth.

The Buddha did not mention about environmental pollution or solution for it, for there was no destruction of nature or environmental problem caused by such destruction. However, if we look for concrete method based on the spirit of compassion, to protect natural environment, we can recognize that following the Buddha’s teaching is no other than protecting of nature and living together with it, and that the way of life as such is also the way to protect environment.

The Buddha already taught us through the doctrine of co-existence how we can coexist together with nature. Thereupon, Buddhists believe that they have to love all sentient beings and let them not to have any fears, that they have to keep their lives in frugality for the benefit of all sentient beings, and that they are cautious not to spend wastefully. We should know through the doctrine of dependent origination that nature is not what exist for our exploitation, but what supports our lives and thus should coexist with us.

It is true that man’s desire is the driving force of human civilization in today. Men have pursued material satisfaction rather than internal happiness. They tried to produce wealth as much as they can in order to satisfy their desire. The fundamental cause of environmental pollution also comes from here. If entire human beings abandon their desire and purse frugal life, their wastes are minimized and are also destruction of environment.

If we Buddhists understand, through the truth of dependent origination, the necessity of coexistence, practice it in our everyday life, moderate our desire, have compassion, and save all lives and resources, environment will be protected and the peace of the world will be realized.

Therefore, environment issues will begin to be resolved, when we understand the Buddha’s teaching and practice moderate and frugal life.

Implementing Buddhism In a World’s Progressive, Just, Sustainable and Low Carbon Development Model

国际环保经验与佛教徒的责任

My Thi Nguyen

(Vietnam /越南；Australia /澳洲)

Chief Advisor of SMEC/Environmental Protection Specialist/

SMEC的首席环保顾问/环保专家

ABSTRACT:

The presentation analyses the fundamental teachings and principles of Buddhism and the practices of Bhikkhus & Bhikkhunis Sanghas and Buddhist lay people. This is compared to the fundamental 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and Renewable energy) principles & the Clean/ Alternative Low Carbon requirements for a progressive, just and sustainable development world-wide.

The focus is then directed at the opportunities presently available that Buddhist men & women & the Buddhist Sanghas in developed and developing countries can actively participate in developing and implementing energy efficient and progressive, just and sustainable projects. The obvious advantages of the participation and expected outcomes are the carry on-ward in the daily continuation of the righteous practices of sustainability and long lasting changes in the mentality, the moral and intellectual attitudes of society and individuals.

INTRODUCTION

For 2600 years there has been a wide-spread, sustainable and cultured Buddhist civilization across many countries and world territories. The teaching had been practiced by the whole spectrum of society, from the highest (kings and educated, upper class) to lowest classes of lay men & women as the citizen masses of societies. Buddhist fundamental teaching principles and the practicing of 6 harmonical principles for living in harmony at Buddhist temples illustrate the examples of living in sharing & caring. The temples and gardens architectural design & construction (with tall boddhi trees) provides the physical, mental and spiritual shelters for millions inhabitant all over places on earth.

Over the recent decades as human kind are threatened with the environmental crisis to save the earth planet with all its living species from chained destructions, consequently there are many prominent Buddhist teaching masters, distinguished scholars and renowned research institutions world-wide have published and voiced the urgent needs to bring Buddhism into meeting the flight head-on.

The author attempts to look into the WHAT, WHY AND HOW BUDDHISM AND BUDDHIST PEOPLE INCLUDING THE SANGHAS CAN HELP SOLVE THE CRISIS from the perspectives of technical view point.

CONCLUSION:

Buddhism has approached individuals, communities and countries through various means, forms, causes and concurs. By actively participate in practical activities in the joint effort with many individuals, organizations or corporations for local, national and world-wide developments, Buddhism will itself step further and go deeper into the practicing and demonstrating the Buddhist Teachings. The feedbacks resulted from the work are the demonstrated values of Buddhism to the society. Through this a long lasting changes in the mentality, the moral and intellectual attitudes of society and individuals will be converted to the same objectives

气候变迁的冲击与调适

Climate Change, Impact and Adaptation

简又新

台湾永续能源基金会董事长

Abstract

半个世纪以来，气候变迁及地球暖化，造成灾害频传，包括热浪、暴雨、干旱等各种极端气候不断上演，并环环相扣，而格陵兰等冰川大面积融化使得海平面上升，迫使小岛国家面临生存危机。连台湾也深受极端气候所害，无情的八八风灾是台湾人一辈子的阴影。随着影响范围日渐扩大，整个世界在能源、水资源、粮食都将产生严重失调。亚洲开发银行(ADB: Asian Development Bank)日前发表的一项研究结果就指出，如果继续忽视气候变迁问题，亚太国家将面临粮食和能源短缺、贫穷问题恶化与作物不断减收等后果。这些气候衍生之问题不仅只会在电视新闻上被报导，它会真实的在每个人生活周遭发生。

During the past half century, climate change and global warming have caused frequent disasters such as heat waves, heavy rains, and droughts; all these disasters are closely connected. The melting of glaciers in Greenland is causing sea level to rise and threatening the survival of island nations. Taiwan is also severely influenced by extreme climates, the 88 Flood will haunt Taiwanese people lifelong. With the increase of the affected area, there will be worldwide imbalance in energy resources, water resources, and food supplies. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently released a research that indicates, if climate change continues to be ignored, Asian Pacific countries will suffer consequences such as shortage in food and energy, worsened poverty problems, and continual reduction of crop yield. These climate change related issues will not just be broadcasting on television news; they will take place around everyone.

根据?合国气候变化纲要公约(UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)所提出之应对气候变迁的方式为：「减量」与「调适」。未来全世界将会限制化石燃料等的使用量，迈入低碳经济时代，此蕴含着新兴产业革命机遇与时代的到来，是项挑战，更是个机会，我们应紧抓住这个剧变中之机遇，扭转时势。好比英国从18世纪中叶带动全球第一波工业革命后，经济实力先继被美、中、德、日所超越，不过，英国人仍不放弃再崛起之机会，当全世界把地球暖化视为世纪大威胁时，英国人却把它视为新的机会，盼再创低碳新经济革命。

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reduction and adaptation are considered as solution for fighting against the threat of climate change. In the future, the world will restrict petroleum fuel consumption, and enter an age of low carbon economy. This implies the arrival of a new industrial revolution. It will be a challenge as well as an opportunity. We must seize the opportunity during this great change. During the mid 18th century, Great Britain took the lead of the first wave of the Industrial Revolution, but its economic strength was subsequently surpassed by the United States, China, Germany, and Japan. However, the British did not give up on regaining the edge; as the world look upon global warming as a great threat of the century, the British considers it a new opportunity and aims to launch a low carbon economy revolution.

除了产业上的改变外，个人习惯的「调适」也是至关重要的。台湾的环境与经济未来面对气候变迁灾难之冲击似乎是无可避免，而根本解决之道在于社会大众意识的觉醒，我们必须改变过去的生活习惯，选择简朴永续之生活型态，齐心携手解决这一世纪最大问题，努力将各种冲击降到最低，为下一代的未来争取最大生机。

Other than industrial and economic changes, personal adaptation is also crucial. Disasters caused by climate change will have inevitable impact on the environment and economy of Taiwan; the solution rests upon public awareness. We must change our habits and choose a sustainable way of living. We must solve the greatest problem of this century together, work to minimize its impact, and help the next generation survive.