BUDDHIST ECOLOGY MANAGEMENT IN THAI SOCIETY

Abstract

Buddhist ecology management in Thai society employs the use of natural environment of the Buddha as a tool for teaching dharma. Using nature and trees is a good example of how to teach dharma because there is no illusion in nature which helps reveal reality quickly. Buddhism is a religion related to nature since all creatures exist in nature and are common in the causal relationship system. Humans are part of the causal relationship system. Therefore, human lives and actions correspond to the level of causal relationship producing results according to the system and enabling people to make the conflict meaningful with complementary harmony. This helps to complete each other resulting in integrity and balance. The developed human abilities can be applied to solve all environmental problems. For economic development system, the Buddha used the word “Development” as well as science and technology as a tool for economic development to serve all economic purposes by connecting them with human development. For human development system, the Buddha used the word Bhavana (prayer) to develop a person to complete all three aspects: behavioral, mental, and intellectual aspects by combining wisdom and ethics using mental qualities as a link leading to the creation of ethics, Phra Dhammapidok. For environmental development system, the problems from important factors include population, lack of resources, and pollution