14_Peace with Nature

Peace with Nature

Susukhaṃ vata jīvāma, Ussukesu anussukā

Ussukesu manassesu, Viharāma anussukā.

Truly blessed are we if we live without greed among the greedy,

Among the greedy, we live without greed.

(Dhammapada, Verse 199)

Understanding life,

In this era of life that is filled with busyness and modern digital technology, sometimes people seem to be cut off from the natural beauty that should be part of their lives. As urban life develops, more and more people experience stress and fatigue due to too busy a life. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of urban areas, there is still a path to calm and harmony, through a journey towards living in peace with nature.

In fact, nature has provided various opportunities to harmonize oneself with the surrounding environment. There are many ways you can live in peace with nature, one of which may be realizing its existence as an inseparable part of this ecosystem. Through a deeper understanding of nature, a person can develop respect and responsibility for the earth as a place to live, a place to be born, a place to carry out all life activities, and even as a place where the body will be buried.

Nowadays, people are starting to get closer to nature to get happiness and tranquillity. Taking a walk in gardens, parks, mountains, or just sitting by the beach, river, lake and so on, gives the mind the opportunity to absorb the beauty of nature while calming the mind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. At that moment, a person can appreciate the wonders of the universe and experience inner peace.

Lifestyle

To be able to create a harmonious balance of life with nature, a person needs to integrate a sustainable lifestyle in everyday life. Many good behaviours that can be done such as: planting trees, reducing meat consumption, and supporting local products are small steps that can have a positive impact on the environment. Thus, we not only live in peace with nature, but also contributes to the balance of the ecosystem.

Efforts towards living in peace with nature need to be supported by awareness to open the mind and heart to appreciate the beauty and complexity of this universe. Living in harmony and harmony with the earth not only provides benefits for personal health and well-being but is also a positive step towards environmental conservation. Therefore, cooperation in preserving nature is very important, so that future generations can also enjoy it.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, the concept of living in peace with nature is closely related to the understanding of balance and interdependence between all forms of life. Gautama Buddha taught that humans should live in harmony with nature, respecting every form of life and maintaining the balance of the ecosystem as part of the spiritual journey. Awareness of nature and the environment is the first step towards enlightenment. Observing the beauty of nature and experiencing life around them as a practice of meditation and reflection, Buddhists can delve into the deep connection between themselves and nature, recognizing that everything is interconnected.

Everyone must have social responsibility towards the environment. Practice the Dharma path by living simply, reducing worldly desires, and understanding that natural resources are gifts that need to be looked after wisely. Ecosystem balance must be placed as a reflection of a person's internal balance. So, caring for nature can be an inseparable part of the spiritual journey.

Growing awareness that true happiness is not only achieved through the accumulation of material objects, but also through inner peace and a loving relationship with nature. Through the practice of meditation, Buddhists train themselves to control their thoughts and emotions, creating inner calm that is reflected in the way they interact with nature.

Therefore, making peace with nature is more than just a lifestyle; it is part of a spiritual journey towards a deeper understanding of existence and life. By absorbing the beauty of nature, maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, and respecting every form of life, inner peace and unity with nature can be achieved.

Life practice

First, as Buddhists we must understand the principle of interdependence between all forms of life. Humans are placed as an integral part of a complex ecosystem, with the consequence that every action they take has a direct impact on the balance of nature. Thus, living side by side in harmony with the natural environment means recognizing and understanding this interdependence, and living a life with full responsibility towards all living creatures.

Second, Buddhists must be active in protecting the natural environment by being guided by ethical values, social responsibility, and connectedness to all forms of life. Some good behaviours that support environmental conservation include:

1. develop self-awareness of your relationship with nature, such as practicing meditation to appreciate the beauty of the environment, strengthen your sense of connectedness, and stimulate concern for the sustainability of nature.

2. practice simplicity as a lifestyle, by reducing desires and excessive consumption and avoiding excessive exploitation of natural resources.

3. Actively participate in nature conservation and contribute to projects aimed at preserving the environment. This could include environmental clean-up activities, planting trees, using ectoenzymes, or supporting nature conservation projects.

4. practicing a plant-based or vegetarian diet, as a form of implementing the principle of not harming living creatures and reducing the negative impact of meat production on the environment.

5. Act as an agent of change by spreading awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. Directly engage in environmental education in the community and motivate others to contribute to nature conservation.

Through such an active role, Buddhists can participate in creating a positive impact on the environment and supporting nature conservation. By practicing the ethical values ​​and social responsibility taught in Buddhist teachings, every believer has significantly contributed to global efforts to maintain the sustainability and balance of the ecosystem.

In conclusion

Buddhism provides guidance that is rich in values ​​and teachings to guide people in restoring and preserving the environment. Some of these values ​​are non-harm, interdependence, simplicity, inner happiness, mindfulness, respect for forms of life, responsibility, and karma.

By applying these values ​​in everyday life, Buddhists play an active role in protecting the environment and contributing to the sustainability of nature. A deep understanding of the relationship between spirituality and nature conservation creates a strong foundation for positive action in maintaining the sustainability of the natural world.

It is important to remember that living in peace with nature is not only about receiving personal benefits, but also about maintaining its sustainability. Everyone has a responsibility to protect nature and preserve it for future generations.

Supriyadi

Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance

Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia