Buddhist myths and conservation

I have been silent for quite some time and now it looks like it has become routine for me to refrain from blogging. But, it, in no way depicts my declining interest in blogging and reading what other bloggers write. It is just the time and environment which is preventing me from blogging (especially writing). This is an article related to what has appeared in the www.kuenlselonline.com 

The article ‘Reds’ all for ‘green’ conservation in kuensel online issue of the 7^th September, 2011 (http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20695 ) drew my attention to the subject. I think the article justifies what it is aiming to convey and makes clear statement of the subject. Much appreciated!!!!!

Prayer flags on poles. Source: http://www.buddhanet.net

Quite recently I have seen improvised prayer flags which are very environment friendly. When you drive from Trongsa to Bumthang, you would pass through a place called Dorji Goempa. It is here, where improvised prayer flags can be seen. The communities of that area did a wonderful job of saving poles for prayer flags which beyond doubt qualifies as an exemplary religious activities blending with environmental conservation, thereby getting in line with two of the four pillars of the Gross National Happiness i.e. Preservation and promotion of cultural values and Conservation of the natural environment. If I try to describe how the prayer flag looks, it has a center pole made of steel/iron anchored firmly in an area with prayer flags. The main pole is surrounded by numerous prayer flags whose one end of the thread is attached to the top of the post and another end secured to a nearby bushes or tree branches. Such prayer flags, according to me, have beyond doubt saved good number of poles (trees) from being felled for the purpose of erecting prayer flags. I think a community innovative of such activities should be recognized and encouraged by the government so that rest of the country follows the same.

I can’t appreciate more with Dratshang (monk body) of the country, when they stated the non-obligatory of erecting 108 prayer flags for the departed soul for his/her merits (Kuensel online issue of ‘Reds’ all for ‘green’ conservation). But, as stated in the article, it is always difficult to convey the bunch of skeptic, blind faith-ed hard core religious believer convince and change the mind-set towards what religious bodies are stating unless some highly respected influential religious figure could step in and convey the same. My solution to “those” people would be to go for the improvised prayer flags and erect required number of flags around the main pole. I feel that enforcing such strategy would not only save some trees but will also fulfill the desire of those who wants to follow the traditional Buddhist routine of erecting 108 numbers of prayer flags in the name of a departed soul.

Improvised prayer flags. Source: http://jamesgritz.com

The use of incinerator to burn dead body should also be encouraged. This would save good number of trees from getting chopped in the name of cremation. I would support the idea of installing incinerator in each crematorium and also to set an example of new technology acceptance by some influential religious personal.

If we think from the Buddhist perspective of “killing is sin”, what, we as a Buddhist are doing is oxymoron. Since plants manufacture foods, it breathes, it reproduces and also it grows, plants has the quality of living being and plants are beyond doubt living things. Thus, considering from another angle, we are killing so many living beings to cremate and erect 108 prayer flags for the cause of one living beings. I feel it would rather bring negative merits than gaining good merits. I strongly believe that such statement from respected religious figure would convince those bunches of people who are not willing to accept the technology and supports the conventional activities.

Above all, I feel that it is a positive sign to see Buddhism blending with environmental conservation.