Can we heal our ailing world?

It is sad to note that the present generations have become so hostile to nature. Everybody talks of their share from the environment. Quite often, many countries reach the brink of war with one another. For instance, China and many countries nearby it are at loggerhead with one another because of their claim for the same territory in the South China Sea. We do not find any more sleep in the serene night and appetite at sumptuous meals. This is ironic. We are made to remain under fear and insecurity. Presently, people have become so dependent on their wild thoughts. They carry out any activity without contemplating for good or bad. Most often our environment becomes the victim of their selfish human actions. Thought of it inflicts unbearable pain and irreparable wound in my heart. 

Only a few environmentalists are heard talking of desertification of fertile lands, consequences of climate change, direness of ozone layer depletion and UV rays. They talk of solutions to heal the wounds of the world. They lament the setting of peace and hope. They point out the cause of all those destructions to human beings. However, they are rendered helpless. Majority of the profit motivated people turn deaf ears to the warnings of those environmentalists.

We as observers see the truth of warnings taking effect. Most places experience extreme climatic conditions. Rainfall comes at odd times and land remains dry when in dire need for cultivation. Most fruit trees and crops are killed by pests before they bear fruits. Varieties of deadly diseases like SARS, H1N1, Avian flu etc. that make scientists dumb-founded are reported from different places. Calamities like earthquakes, landslides and mudslides, volcanoes, flashfloods and windstorms which were rarely heard few decades ago have become the order of the day. Every day we hear of wildfire here, windstorm there and earthquake elsewhere. Threat from nature as well as human beings has made us forget peace. But, that is not something that cannot be restored.

Buddhists believe that being born as human being is a fortunate thing. We have an opportunity at hand to get enlightened.  Similarly, Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote:

“For what are men better than sheep or goats

That nourish a blind life within the brain,

If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayers,

Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

For so the whole round earth is every way

Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.”

 Rather than hiding our forehead with fear of uncertainty and insecurity, I feel time has come for us to seek refuge in these philosophies. Our Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, at the 3^rd Convocation of the Royal University of Bhutan, Paro College of Education, 17 February 2009 said, “I am a firm believer that if there is one word that will stand out above all other words when we describe our country’s amazing journey of modernization over the last few decades – it is Education. Our institutions, our leaders of today – all of us – including me – are the proud products of the Bhutanese Education System.” I feel it is education, education of right kind that will change the attitude of a man. In good faith, let us teach good values to our younger generations. With the new outlook gained through right education, I am sure all people will be able to see the harmful sides of what they are doing.

May every powerful nation discovers the despondent side of the mass destructive weapons and agrees for disarmament. I pray that peoples’ wants have reached its pinnacle and that they are satisfied with it. I feel it is time for people to get reconciled with nature and find ways to contribute to rebuilding what is lost in our environment. I long to see our earth filled with trees, fresh air, enough safe drinking water, reduced numbers of factories and industries that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. I like to see the animals and plants considered to be extinct to reborn and co-exist with us.  

Let us not divide ourselves into regions, races, and nationalities. Let us not talk of armament or another cold war. Let us not be the cause of our own extinction.  Let us accept the fact that all the citizens of the world, be it from America or Africa, white or black, have or have-nots, as same. Let us come together in thoughts and actions. Let us unite in making this world a second heaven!