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Click-a-Sermon 8: "Buddha nature and sentient beings"

The world wide concern for the ecological plight of this earth has long been growing. Political leaders of the major industrialized nations are speaking out for environmental protection and proposing varieties of solutions for this serious problem that humankind faces today. Large quantities of human-made carbon dioxide causes the green house effect and creates fears concerning the unnatural rise of earth temperature. The Freon gas we have been using in various areas of our daily life is destroying the protective ozone layer of the earth. Industrial smoke is the cause of acid rain, which is destroying valuable forests. Tropical forests are also being destroyed artificially. Water pollution by toxic chemicals, air pollution by car emissions, and many other forms of destruction of our environment have been taking place upon a global scale. In the name of progress, industrialization, modernization and convenience, humankind has been polluting our natural environment. We all have been a part of the pollution in many ways directly or indirectly. In this consumption oriented society, we are in-escapable participants in this drama.

Modern industry made our life convenient and prosperous, but at the same time it has been gradually destroying our environment. Los Angeles residents for instance are constantly suffering from smog pollution and the city of Sapporo in Japan, for example, has been facing asphalt dust pollution caused by the use of winter spike tires. Also, Water pollution is becoming a serious problem and bottled water has become increasingly popular today.

Destruction of the environment is clearly affecting the lives of all living beings. Thus responsible human beings are finally beginning to realize the crimes they have been committing. At last, we learned that the survival of human species is at stake now.

Humankind has pursued primarily human interests and neglected the welfare of other living beings in this world. Entering into the beginning of the space age, we learned that the earth is a delicately balanced "living organism." Mountains, rivers, vegetation, animals, air, water and all the rest are part of "life" itself. Life as well non-life are the essential parts of our being. Destruction of nature and the environment means the destruction of ourselves.

Buddhism has always taught that "every sentient being possesses Buddha nature." Human beings are not special creatures above the rest, but merely one of many elements composing the great universe. Our human life is sustained by nature. Humankind does not sustain nature. We are being embraced by nature as a part of the universe. Nature gives us life. It is hubris for humankind to consider that nature is in the palm of the human hand to control and dispose of. Our life is sustained by nature. Before we hubrisly advocate the environmental protection of nature, we have to learn first to appreciate all sentient beings in this world. We have to change our misguided past attitude toward nature and learn to respect nature to live in harmony with nature. All existences possess a spark of Buddha-hood, which should be recognized and respected. As we learn in our daily life to value and appreciate nature even in a minute way, it will be reflected upon the future of this world. We should not forget the fact that we are always "one" with nature.