Environmental Ethics in Buddhism

Ethics are a set of guidelines that help explain what it is to be fully human as well as give meaning and direction to adherent’s lives. According to Buddhist teachings, the ethical and moral principles are governed by examining whether a certain action, whether connected to body or speech is likely to be harmful to one’s self or to others and there which are likely to be harmful. (Karma) in Buddhism, a mind that is skilful actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse.
Environmental ethics is the exploration of the relationship between human and the environment which adherents live. Buddhists ethical teachings provide guidelines on environmental ethics and make all adherents aware other interconnectedness of all things: how to act skilfully as enlightened individuals to gain greater harmony between themselves and the environment.
The three jewels
Buddha - the teacher
Dharma - the teachings
Sangha - the monks and adherents
“I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the Sangha” the three jewels are an antidote to the three ills
The three ills are greed, anger and delusion
The Four noble truths
1. Life mean’s suffering - dhukka
2. The origin of suffering is attachment or desire - tanha
3. The end of suffering is attainable - nirvana/enlightenment
4. The path to the cessation of suffering is through the 8 fold path
The four sublime states of being
Metta - loving kindness
Karuna - compassion for all who suffer
Muditha - sympathetic joy
Upekkha - equanimity
Three marks of existence
Anicca - impermanence
Anatta - no soul
Dukkha - suffering
Buddhism does not see humans as a special creation of God or as having dominion or stewardship over animals etc. like all other sent beings, they wander in the limited, conditioned reals of samsara, the round of rebirths.
While all sentient beings are in the same boat. Humans are in a specific compartment of his. This is because they have a