By
brother initiate Li Te-wei, Taipei, Formosa
Economic
and industrial developments have been accompanied by deterioration of
the ecological environment on our planet. Natural resources have been
mercilessly exploited, causing many severe natural disasters and changes
in the world's ecology. Fortunately, many friends of the earth concerned
about the environment and society have been striving diligently for
the cause of conservation over the years. They have formed alliances
to tackle various issues including industrial pollution, animal protection,
excessive use of chemicals in farming, destruction of natural habitats,
garbage disposal, nuclear safety, water pollution, and air pollution.
In
addition to campaigns to inform the public about the importance of environmental
protection, such groups are also committed to launching related projects.
Although their concepts and activities are affirmed and supported by
most people, there is still a gap between the ideal and the reality
in the daily lives of ordinary people. Thus, many individuals are not
willing to join these campaigns, and instead hope that environmental
problems will be lessened or solved by academia and scientific experts,
or through governmental policies and legislation. As a result, in many
places, environmental protection remains a formality and slogan; it
simply cannot be enforced in daily life through practical action.
The
idea of "Green Consumerism" can play a vital role in initiating
genuine concern among the general public about nature and the environment.
The first step taken by "Green Consumers" is to choose daily
necessities that are less harmful to the environment, less polluting,
more energy saving, and more simply packaged. For instance, energy-saving
lighting and electrical switches, nontoxic toys, biodegradable diapers,
low-radiation electronic appliances, recyclable tools, water-saving
bathroom fixtures, ozone-friendly refrigerators and air-conditioners,
cosmetics made of natural compounds, non-petroleum based detergents,
and organic vegetables and fruits may be used. In addition, installing
kitchen garbage disposal systems and making living environments green
and beautiful are also important steps.
Such
measures can not only minimize the negative impact of pollution on the
environment and health, but also enhance the quality of life. With regard
to food, clothing, housing, transportation, education and recreation,
we can always give up our old habits for new ones to stay in line with
the concept of environmental protection. Let us choose living utensils
and lifestyles that give us peace of mind.
Among
our group of spiritual practitioners, it is not always necessary to
advocate such measures, because we naturally behave like "Green
Consumers". Strolling around the Hsihu Center, one can see fellow
practitioners wearing casual but comfortable cotton clothes, savoring
delicious, naturally grown and nontoxic vegetables, and tirelessly retrieving,
categorizing and recycling garbage. The Nectar River, with its pure,
clear water, flows through the delightfully green Ashram. There are
no luxurious temples or halls, and no superfluous forms of construction
or decoration.
By
the roadside outside the Center, local farmers sell naturally grown
vegetables and fruits, as well as delicious food, natural detergents,
and nontoxic insect repellents supplied by fellow practitioners. Permeated
by the atmosphere of our respect for life and pristine nature even the
plants and trees by the roadside seem to have become our dear friends.
From conceiving the idea to putting our words into action, we have seamlessly
and effortlessly integrated environmental protection into our daily
lives and spiritual practice. (The author is the Secretary-general of
the Life and Environment Protection Society of the ROC)
