Buddha's Practical Solution to Global Warming

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Buddha is popularly known through statues and pictures sitting in a lotus position with a face in deep meditation. He has touched the lives of millions around the world. Buddha's teachings were simple with zen-like wisdom.  In one of his teachings he offers practical advise to humans on the source of their sufferings.  His teaching can also be a practical solution to global warming. It is all about taming our "trishna."



Trishna in Hindi means “thirst”. Centuries ago a man by the name of Sidhhartha Gautam, who is also known as Buddah, realized as part of his enlightenment, that the troubles and grief of man was due to “thrishna”.

Thrishna or thirst also means desires and wants. It is inherent in Man.  Unfortunately, man wants more and more. Buddah said that if man can control his desire then all of his problems will go away.

Collectively, the unsatiable desires of all humans contribute to what we are now experiencing as global warming.   The unchecked wants and desires has moved man to consume much more than what he really needs.  Man is not satisfied in simple living.  He wants more out of life like fame, fortune, material wealth, bigger house, more cars; and the list goes on and on.

The level of “trishna” is much higher in developed countries as seen by their material opulence.  On the other hand, developing countries have lower “trishna” levels but higher population growth. Both sums up to higher levels of desire leading to faster rate of consumption.

As the population increases the “trishna” levels increases relatively, placing an increasing stress on mother earth’s inherent capacity to renew.  Today, this can be seen in the dwindling forest cover; rapid depletion of natural resources; extinction of once flourishing wildlife species both on land and sea.  Worst of all the depletion of the ozone layer which stokes the fire of further ecological degradation all because of "trishna."

Buddha already saw, centuries ago, the simple solution to man’s problems today. His solution is relevant today more than ever.   But  oftentimes the obvious solution is simply ignored or is the hardest to accept.

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