Our Traditions

Our Traditions

Because our desire to care for the earth is rooted in our faiths, it’s important that we understand those roots to strengthen our collective faith and inspire us to act upon it.

This section of the IEN website is dedicated to sharing that understanding to build up others within our own faith communities as well as those seeking deeper understanding beyond their faith community. It’s envisioned the material and perspectives shared here will be used for your personal growth as well as for helping others become more faithful stewards.

Click on one of the tabs below to learn more about environmental stewardship and some of our great spiritual traditions.

Baha'i

Buddhist

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

- Buddha

BUDDHISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

From the Writings of Nicheren Daishonin (WND, 4):

"If the minds of living beings are impure, their land is also impure, but if their minds are pure, so is their land. There are not two lands, pure and impure in themselves. The difference lies solely in the good or evil of our minds."

This following quote gives a great explanation of the previous quote; it addresses putting this doctrine into practice:

"The question is will we allow ourselves to be dragged down to the lower states of life or will we advance to the higher states? Only intelligence, culture and religious faith can lead us out of the Animality that thoughtlessly consumes nature, leaving a barren wasteland. Because of the oneness of life and its environment, a barren, destructive mind produces a barren, devastated natural environment. The desertification of our planet is created by the desertification of the human spirit." (Discussions on Youth 2, ch. 16).

From the Writings of Nicheren Daishonin (WND,644):

"The ten directions are the "environment," and living beings are "life." To illustrate, environment is like the shadow, and life, the body. Without the body, no shadow can exist, and without life, no environment. In the same way, life is shaped by its environment."

From the many writings by the current President of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), Daisaku Ikeda, about the environment:

Some of these are his annual Peace Proposals to the UN:
http://www.sgi-usa.org/newsandevents/peaceproposals.php

He has many published dialogues such as a book "Choose Life" with historian Arnold Tonybee and "Planetary Citizenship: Your values, Beliefs and Action Can Shape a Sustainable World" with Hazel Henderson (world renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, globally syndicated columnist and consultant on sustainable development).

Here's a link to some quotes: http://www.ikedaquotes.org/environment.html

Please send us more links for this section!

Christian

Hindu

…Earth is my Mother; her son am I; and Heaven my Father: may he fill us with plenty….
- Atharva Veda 12.1

SOME HINDU SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:

“God is pleased with a person who does not harm or destroy other nonspeaking creatures or animals.”
(Visnu Purana: 3.8.15)

“O Mother Earth! You are the world for us and we are your children; let us speak in one accord, let us come together so that we live in peace and harmony, and let us be cordial and gracious in our relationship with other human beings.”
(Arthava Veda, Kanda 12, hymn 1, verse 63)

“Dharma exists for the general welfare (abhyadaya) of all living beings; hence, that, by which, the welfare of all living creatures is sustained, that, for sure is Dharma.”
(Mahabharata, Shanit Parva, chapter 109, verse 10)

“O king, all creatures act according to the laws of their specific species as laid down by the Creator. Therefore, none should act unrighteously (adharma), thinking, “It is I who is powerful.”
(Mahabharata, Vanaparva, chapter 25, verse 16)

Prithvi Sukta is an ancient spiritual text from India, enjoining all human beings to protect, preserve, and care for the environment.

Prithvi Sukta - Hymn to the Earth - from the Atharva Veda.

Translated by Shrinivas S. Sohoni

May this Earth, replete with seas, rivers and water sources, excellent food grain from agriculture, prolific vegetation and abundant living creatures, bestow upon us munificent nutrition!

May the Earth who is in the nature of a mother, hold us, her sons, close to her life-endowing self, protect us, and may Parjanya (the rain-bearing clouds) in the nature of a father, tend our upbringing.

May this Earth so charged with positive force, neutralize that element which impels ill-will, aggressive intention, subjugation of human beings and their elimination.

May the Earth give us, her progeny, the capacity to speak pleasantly with each other, may our languages enable harmonious interaction between ourselves.

May the Earth which imbues men and women with good fortune and good appearance and gives fleet-footedness to the horse and the deer and strength to the elephants, may this Earth imbue us also with radiance; let none be averse to us!

In daily life, on Earth, whether we are sitting, standing, or in motion, may our activity be such as would never cause injury or grief!

I evoke the Earth which gives shelter to all the searchers of truth, to those who are tolerant and have understanding, to all things strength-giving, nutritious; the source of creative spirit, we depend on you, O Earth!

O Earth, in the villages, forest, assemblies, committees and other places on Earth, may what we express always be in accord with you!

Please send us additional links and content for this section!

Jewish

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and care for it.
- Genesis 2:15

JUDAISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

COEJL - Multi-denominational

One of the most informative Internet resources for Judaism and environmental stewardship is the web site of COEJL, the Coalition On The Environment and Jewish Life. The site provides educational program guides, legislative updates, text sources and much more. A real treasure trove!

THE SHALOM CENTER - Renewal

The brainchild of Jewish Renewal leader Rabbi Arthur Waskow, the Shalom Center (located in Philadelphia) has been on the environmental stewardship bandwagon for a very long time. The site is particularly strong in the advocacy arena, on the environment and a host of other social justice issues.

HAZON - Multi-denominational

Along with COEJL, Hazon (“Vision”) is one of the two largest American Jewish environmental groups. Their web site lays out their mission and values as follows:

Vision And Mission

Hazon works to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community and a healthier and more sustainable world for all.

We effect change in three ways:

• Through the direct human impact of our programs;
• By supporting the American Jewish environmental movement and the Israeli environmental movement;
• Through thought-leadership (writing, speaking, teaching, campaigning).

The following values underpin our programs:

• A strong commitment to inclusive community;
• A strong commitment to volunteer involvement and leadership development;
• Multi-generationality;
• Being Jewishly serious and deeply engaged with the world around us;
• We believe in reaching people where they are and not where we might like them to be.

In the medium-term, our goal is to transform Jewish life over the next six years, so that by September 2015 – at the end of the next shmita (sabbatical) year in the Jewish tradition, - we are clearly and demonstrably weaving commitments to sustainability into the fabric of Jewish life in this country and around the world.

CANFEI NESHARIM ("Wings of Eagles") - Orthodox

Connecting traditional Torah texts with contemporary scientific findings, Canfei Nesharim educates and empowers Jewish individuals, organizations and communities to take an active role in protecting the environment, in order to build a more sustainable world.

Please send us more links and content for this section!

Muslim

Sikh

Mulltifaith

What Can I Share?

You are invited to share your religious understandings and experiences of environmental stewardship. It could be references to your sacred text or other writings, sermons or talks you’ve given, or your own personal encounters. All faith-based contributions are welcome. If you disagree with a perspective offered, remember our goal is to lift up and not tear down others. Your different perspective, offered in a thoughtful fashion, will be welcomed. We encourage a free flow of ideas and dialog.

How Do I Share?

Simply send us an email using this link. Include your name and religious affiliation, along with your congregation’s name or other religious organization to which you’re affiliated. We will not post anonymous submissions. You may also submit files for the download page. Submissions are organized by faith tradition.

Interfaith Environmental Network

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