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Hindu Teachings on the Environment
Featuring Dr. Pankaj Jain Assistant Professor, University of North Texas
4/4/13
Introducing Dr. Pankaj Jain
• Ass’t Professor, Univ. of North Texas, Depts. of Philosophy & Religion, Anthropology
• GreenFaith Hindu & Jain Scholar in Residence
• HASC Eco-Dharma & Bhumi-Seva Project Director
• Author, Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities
• Cultures, Religions, and Environmental Issues in India and Indian Diaspora in N. America
Getting Started • What led to Dr. Jain’s work? • Dharma and Ecology of Hindu
Communities – Ashgate Press, 2011
• Winner of the 2012 DANAM Award & 2011 Uberoi Foundation Award
Environmental Problems in India
• Assault on land • Loss of forest (firewood, fodder, encroachment) • Industrial Pollution (~ Pittsburgh in 1940s) • Unplanned urbanization/industrialization • Large scale projects, less rehabilitation of displaced • River pollution (~ Ohio’s Cuyahoga,1960s) • Population explosion and consumerism
The 80-20 problem in the world?
Indians “greenest” in the world? National Geographic Survey 2008, 2009, 2010, & 2012
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/greendex/
• Housing: Air-conditioning, Heating, Water needs, Dwelling size, Appliances
• Transportation: Ownership rates and average usage of motorized vehicles, length of daily commutes, and utilization of public transport
• Food: Consumption of locally produced foods, as well as their relative consumption of bottled water, meat, and seafood
• Consumer goods: Everyday consumption, “big-ticket” items
The “Hindu” Rate of Growth?
Hindu Teachings Pancha Mahabhutas &
Ishavasyam • 5 elements form universe’s
interconnected foundation • Bond between senses and
elements
• Divinity is omnipresent and takes infinite forms. • Ganges • Earth as Devi
Hindu Teachings Dharma & Karma
• Dharma as duty, virtue • Rural Indian
communities’efforts to protect eco-systems
• Karma as eco-impacted • Interconnection
Hindu Teachings Tantric & Yogic
Traditions • Body-earth connection • Yoga = yoke = join • Tantra – Universal
divine energy • Vegetarianism
Hindu Teachings Ahimsa & Sanyasa
• Non-violence - the greatest Dharma.
• Ahimsa to the earth improves one’s karma.
• Sanyasa - Fasting, limited consumption, renunciation
Hindu Eco-Gurus Gandhi
• Simplicity • Small meal of fruits and nuts
– no egg, meat, seafood
• Self-reliance • Abhorrence for waste • Walking • Ahimsa
Hindu Eco-Gurus Bishnois
• Tree-hugging • History • Contemporary
applications
Hindu Eco-Gurus Swadhyaya Movement
• Self-restraint, austerity • Pandurang Vaijnath
Shastri Athvale – “Dadaji”
Hindu Eco-Gurus Bhil Communities and
their Sacred Groves • Forest fragments • Communally protected • Religious connotation • Hunting and logging
prohibited
Contact Information
Dr. Pankaj Jain
Director, EcoDharma Project
Facebook - www.facebook.com/DharmaAndEcology
Twitter - @pankajaindia
