Universal responsibility as a means of creating a close connection with the meaning of interdependence

Painting in the image of the artist Mugil Kim 2024

The responsibility to take care of our planet belongs to all of us.
Even among Buddhists, there are people who think that nothing needs to be done because “it’s just karma,” and that acting for the environment or for the rights of others—like animals—won’t lead beings to liberation.
This is a mistaken view.
Avoiding our responsibilities certainly won’t lead us to liberation, and it won’t even allow us to gain a precious human rebirth on this planet in the future—because there may not be a planet, to begin with.

There are many points that could be made about this, but one is especially important: protecting others from suffering is part of the practice of the perfection of generosity.

His Holiness has often emphasized how important it is that each one of us takes care of our planet.
Ecological damage and global warming operate silently, invisibly—but their consequences will be severe, especially for the most vulnerable, like children.

The major causes of the climate crisis are industrial animal farming and fast fashion.
Even just starting in small ways—choosing more consciously what we buy and how we nourish ourselves—can make a huge difference.

So with respect to that, His Holiness says:

His Holiness gives an important message :
“I think taking care about our only home, this planet, is not just government’s responsibility. All humanity, all individuals have the responsibility. And then, I am always telling, the war, bloodshed, immediately striking in our mind. But damaging the ecology or these global warming, these things, without much obvious, but invisibly, you see. month by month, decay. So once we feel some difficulties to breathing, difficulties of eyes, and particularly children, then maybe too late.”