Assignment task:
Buddhism's View and Importance of Nature Buddhism is one of the largest religions in the world and has been around for 2500 years originating in India. The followers of Buddhism, Buddhists, have many beliefs with core beliefs that "the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana" (Buddhism). They also have many beliefs on the environment which include a belief like "Karma" or the importance to them. Buddhists have many values and views on the environment and nature that are very important to them. Karma is an ecological ethic from Buddhists. In a more basic meaning, it's a concept meaning the expression of "human environmental responsibilities" (Environmental Ethics of Buddhism). These people focus more on the responsibilities of the environment than the average person on Earth. The environmental problem is a global problem that in the future could cause a threat to all the people living here, so the importance of having "responsibilities" for the environment is great for the long run. It is suggested by the "Environmental Ethics of Buddhism", that "the law of karma states that all our actions, words and thoughts form the conditions of our existence in the future: each of us experiences the consequences of what he Dok 2 thought, said and did in the past" (Environmental Ethics of Buddhism). With all Buddhists following the law of karma, it ensures that they wouldn't harm the environment and ensure safety for our Earth. Buddhism also has more values that include the importance of nature. Phra Buddadasa Bhikkhu was a famous and influential Thai philosopher. And "according to Phra Buddadasa Bhikkhu, deforestation is unacceptable in Buddhism, and it is important to show respect for trees that provide food, canopy and protection for all forest-dwellers" (A Spiritual Dimension). With Bhikkhu being very connected to buddhists and buddhism, it gives insight and what feelings that they experience in certain experiences. They value nature and deforestation destroys that, which in their view in unexceptable which in essence overall is very true. Also, from a Buddhists view if they want to solve environmental problems they "must be based on three aspects: behavior, the mind, and understanding" (A Spiritual Dimension). The behavioral aspect basically means to have self-control and prohibit actions against the environment. The mind aspect means to love the environment and develop a desire to protect nature. The last of understanding is self explanatory and basically means to have an understanding of the environmental problems to even help in the first place. Buddhists have a really close relationship with the environment. An example of this is in "A Spiritual Dimension and Environmental Education" is how it talks about the relationship with nature and especially forests in particular. This was because "the Lord Buddha was born under the Sala tree, enlightened under the Bodhi tree, gave his first sermon in the forest named Isippatanamarukatayawan, and died under the Sala tree" (A Spiritual Dimension). That was a small amount of background regarding the importance for nature and forests in Buddhism's Dok 3 values. In the same source it says that, "Buddha lived closely with nature and taught his followers to take care of nature. The first precept is to abstain from taking life of living forms" (A Spiritual Dimension). This is important because his followers follow by example just like any other leader and followers, and in this case it is to take care of the environment and nature. It's also recognized that "in most major religions there is scripture encouraging the protection and care of nature. From Buddhism to Christianity, Hinduism to Islam, faiths recognize the need for environmental stewardship and urge followers to be caretakers of the planet and its biodiversity" (From Islam to Buddhism). All across the world different religions have different motives and leaders, a common ground though is the care and importance for the environment. In conclusion, Buddhists and Buddhism have a really close relationship with nature and the environment. With the main points being that they have an ecological ethic called "Karma", they have even more values with the three aspects to solve problems with nature, and the overall close relationship with the environment. Although this is one group of people/religion being touched on, it doesn't mean that this is the only group that cares for the environment. Many more groups and religions have similar values all to uphold the greatness and cleanliness of this Earth.
1. What single feature of the paper stands out to you as a reader?
2. What do you think is the writer's main point?
3. Was there anything in the paper that seemed confusing to you? (If so, explain briefly).
4. Now reread the paper, making any comments in the margins you feel would be helpful. Try to comment on development and organization of ideas: Do you understand the points the writer is trying to make? Do ideas seem well-connected? Remember, you are not being asked to evaluate the paper; you are being asked to respond to it with an eye toward helping the writer improve it.
Underline the thesis statement. Is it clearly stated? If not, what seems confusing?
5. Is there any place where the writer needs to support an idea with more concrete detail or explanation? If so, where?
6. How well does the writer make transitions between his/her main ideas? Identify places that need better transitions.