Self as Nature; Nature as Self : a Buddhist perspective on ecology

Abstract

In this paper I investigate the metaphysics of the Buddhist conception of Reality to see how this can contribute to an ecological understanding of the human existence. Through this investigation I reveal that life from a Buddhist point of view is considered non-divided, alive and holy, and that man has the potential to realize and live according to this non-dual nature. This non-dual metaphysics also express itself through the human existence that according to Buddhism includes three different views of Reality, these are: the ordinary person, the bodhisattva, and the buddha, respectively.These three views are differentiated between according to different epistemic perceptions of Reality that generate three spontaneous different modes of relating to nature, one that is need based and one that is natural and based on compassion. Hence man has the potential to act naturally and spontaneously out of love through the realization of unity. The human existence therefore contains a potential that dramatically can alter man's relationship to nature. Hence a Buddhist perspective ecology argues that it is important to incorporate a broader understanding of the human existence in the environmental discourse. Through this humans can come to know his potential and understand that there is a different ways for him to relate to all of nature's forms.