(Rajah Cha)
Buddhists must also beware of getting ill as there are so many medicines that are tested on animals. Buddhists cannot take such medicines as they do not wish to harm animals and they follow “right intention” by abstaining from anything that could possibly hurt the environment or any animals.
A Local Buddhist Said:
“I am aware of anything that wil keep me ill and try to stay healthy as I can take limited medicine as most is tested on animals which I find appalling.”
Karma is also a very strong part of Buddhists lives. They believe if you harm anyone or anything then you are building up bad karma and will therefore have a bad afterlife. Therefore all Buddhists will be strongly against animal testing. This environmental teaching will be placed into their life when they are out shopping as there are many products that they will not be able to buy. They will have to check such as hair products, drugs, make-up, soaps, detergents, clothing fibres and perfumes. As they will not buy anything associated with harming the animals
A Local Buddhist Said:
“When I am in the shops I have to check every label on what I pick up, this society abuses animals and I have to take more time over my shopping selection because of these company’s own greed”
When they pay their taxes this is also an environmental practice as it builds their karma up. It does this because when you pay taxes there are a lot of less fortunate people in the world that you are giving a helping hand to. They are helping the NHS which means that sick people will be well looked after so this builds up their karma. They will also be helping the Police who stop all the wrongdoing in the world which is a positive aspect. Also the taxes that they pay go benefits for less fortunate people who have had a bad life. All of these things will build up great karma for Buddhists and lead them to a very good afterlife.
A Local Buddhist Said
“I know that taxes apply to everyone but to keep up to date on payments is special to me as then I will have a good turn in the next life”
Buddhists must be very careful with the environment that is surrounding them as in the sutras and precepts it states that all Buddhists should take loving care of animals, and that they should not harm the grass and trees, but regard them
As the home where sentient beings lead their lives. This means that they must avoid stepping on plants and flowers and small creatures that may be on the pavement. Some Buddhists even sweep the pavement before they walk on it so that no life is destroyed
“Buddhists believe that all sentient beings have been their mother in another life. This belief generates a feeling of loving kindness to all beings. This means that gradually they develop the view that all the beings of the world are as dear to them as their present family”
W.O. Cole
Certain jobs and professions are immoral and harmful in themselves for Buddhists. This means anything to do with killing or harming, with prostitution, with the traffic of arms, drugs and drinks. It is not always possible to find work which mirrors their ideals of great compassion, but if the work is not harmful to themselves or others and is helpful, then it is Right Livelihood. These jobs may include dentists, shop keeping in an off license, police, military and many more. It leaves very limited jobs left for Buddhists to do and can alter there lives drastically.
“The wages in the jobs that I can do are not as high as the wages of people whom in my mind are not following right livelihood”
Sayah Ahmuni
Many Buddhists take it upon themselves not to eat meat although it is not strictly forbidden but it is thought of to show loyalty to their faith.
A Local Buddhist Said:
“I do not eat meat as in my opinion it does not show loving kindness towards animals which I think is very important to do “even though it isn’t forbidden'
Even when Buddhists are dressing themselves they are aware of their faith. They can not wear any animal skins. They do not wear any fur, silk, wool, suede or leather. They can not wear these clothes as it is forbidden to kill animals and is thought of as very wrong and against the Buddhist religion.
“I do not wish to wear anything that has come from an an animal as this would affect my karma and does not show loving kindness.”
Rhua Melleeka
Overall you can see that environmental teachings are put into practice over many different areas. It is considered many times a day in every day life as a Buddhist and is therefore a very important and relevant factor to the religion.