Politics and Environment: An Interview
Dalai Lama: In general, I feel that laws should serve as guidelines for the proper use of human initiative, creativity and ability.
Fabien: Do you think that democracy is helping laws to evolve in this way?
Dalai Lama: Yes, in democratic countries, legal systems
should work that way and generally do. Bur these laws nevertheless
partially contradict the Buddhist principle of interdependence, since
they do not include "democratic rights" for the environment and the
animal realm. Most legal systems refer only to human rights and do not
consider the rights of animals or other beings that share the planet
with us. Laws that protect human rights and values and indicate proper
ways co use human ability are not in contradiction with karma or
causality - not in the Western sense where the same causes have the
same effect, but in the Buddhist sense where each effect proceeds from
a cause that also needs to be considered.
In reality the problem is that for most "powerful" people there is
a difference between the principle of the law and its application
almost all legal systems condemn killing. This notion occurs in most
countries of the world. Yet in practice, powerful people treat killing
as they treat lying. For politicians, small lies are prohibited, but
large lies are accepted. For a Buddhist, this is a very obvious
Contradiction. The same applies to killing. When a man who is desperate
kills another person, this small act is defined as murder. It is wrong.
But the man who kills or gives orders to kill thousands of people is a
hero! That is very unfortunate.
Most religious systems condemn murder, rape, and theft. In my
opinion, religious principles are based on natural human attitudes and
feelings. Their essential function is to inspire human beings to
develop basic human qualities. Thus it seems logical that most laws
would be consistent with the principles of positive karma. But in order
for both religious and secular laws to conform to the principles of
interdependence, we need to widen their perspective to include
protection of the environment and the animal realm. This is how we can
apply the Buddhist view of interdependence to a broader vision of law
and order.
Dalai Lama: [...] In any case, all the natural resource
specialists with whom I have spoken warn me that this gap between the
"haves" and "have-nots" should be reduced. At present there are around
5.5 billion human beings on earth. If the living standard of the
southerners were raised to 'the level the northerners are presently
enjoying, what would happen to the world's natural resources? This
situation would not be sustainable. China, for example, has a
population of 1.2 billion. If each family were to have two cars, the
environmental damage would be unimaginable. Nine hundred million people
live in India.
The Western concept of increasing the GNP each year must change,
and fast. The principle itself contradicts all natural and logical laws.
Fabien: Do you think Westerners should also have fewer cars?
Dalai Lama: Certainly. They need to develop a sense of
contentment and more consideration towards others. Things should be
done in a more just, equal manner. In the meantime, the birth control
question must also be addressed. The southern countries must curb their
population growth.
Fabien: Efficient birth control mainly depends on standard
of living. The more access to education women have, the fewer children
they 'produce, statistically speaking. So, education seems to be the
best way to curb the population explosion.
Dalai Lama: That's very good. But what education? To tell
you the truth, I think the first thing the southerners must do is
recognize the negative consequences of the present Western concepts of
life and economy. We have to correct or remould this erroneous belief
in, the value of an ever-increasing
GNP.
Likewise, although some factories and industries are now adopting,
new ways to protect the environment, the northerners are inflicting a
lot of damage on the world's environment. This prompts me to say that
from a global point of view the money produced by the northern world is
still insufficient.
[. . .] In the early part of this century, everyone foolishly
thought that natUre's resources were limitless and at the disposal of
humanity. Today ecological ideology even influences political parties.
All these changes stem from the experience we have acquired as human
beings. In the same way; the concept of human rights, whether
individual or general, such as die right to self-determination for a
given group, has evolved. These ideas are now universally recognized.
Such progress gives me hope for the future.
Fabien: Do you think that one individual can change the world?
Dalai Lama: Yes.
Fabien: In that case, the best thing to do is to start trying to improve oneself.
Dalai Lama: It seems quite simple. First, it is important
to realize we are part of nature. Ultimately, nature will always be
more powerful than human beings, even with all their nuclear weapons,
scientific equipment, and knowledge. If the sun disappears or the
earth's temperature changes by a few degrees, then we are really in
trouble. At, a deeper level, we should recognize that although we are
part of nature, we can control and change things, to some extent, due
to our intelligence. Among the thousands of species of mammals on
earth, we humans have the greatest capacity to alter nature. As such,
we have a twofold responsibility. Morally, as beings of higher
intelligence, we must care for this world. The other inhabitants of the
planet - insects and so on - do not have the means to save or protect
this world. Our other responsibility is to undo the serious
environmental degradation that is the result of incorrect human
behaviour. We have recklessly polluted the world with chemicals and
nuclear waste, selfishly consuming many of its resources. Humanity must
take the initiative to repair and protect the world.
Of course, when we say, "humanity" or "society", it's obvious the
initiative must come from individuals. It is wrong to expect our
governments, or even God, to give us any guidance on these matters.
[...] Actually, I'm quite optimistic. Take the example of
environmental problems. The scientists and associations that defend the
environment have repeatedly informed us about the ecological problems
now facing the earth, like global warming and widespread pollution of
our water and air. Now, awareness is growing worldwide. New techniques
are evolving so that we can avoid pollution without changing the
process of industry or the economy. During a recent visit to Stockholm,
my friends told me that ten years before the fish had practically
disappeared from the nearby river. Now they are regenerating, simply
because the industrial plants along that river have made some efforts
to protect the environment. In other words, they managed to improve the
situation without destroying the industry. I was recently in the Rohr
region of Germany, a centre of industry. One large company showed me a
film on the different means they were raking to reduce pollution and
recycle waste material. Without changing their entire structure, they
were causing much less damage to the environment.
Concern for ecology grows with the proper and widespread
dissemination of information. People have gradually become convinced
what the situation is serious and what we must take care for our
planet. I've noticed that now, in some hotels, we are asked to not
waste electricity or water. This is a good start. Likewise the media
must speak of the importance of altruism in every human activity. It
must be discussed again and again, in newspapers, in the movies, on the
radio, on TV. I think there is plenty of momentum to do this. Medical
and scientific fields should support the theory of altruism. Ecologists
will support it, as the peace movement, providing the educational
systems are also improved so that children become less violent. Then,
even the police force will change. and everyone will gradually begin to
think and act with more kindness, altruism, and compassion.
Excerpt from the book Imagine All the People: A conversation
with the Dalai Lama on Money Politics and Life as it Could Be, Wisdom
Publications, Boston
