Environment Awareness: A Part of Daily Life
This conference on ecology is extremely
appropriate. I recognize the urgency of preserving the balance of the
environment, and believe that if we neglect it, the world as a whole
will suffer.
Because of the material wealth and resulting
environmental problems seen in the West, some people say we need to
discard the modern way of life. But I feel this is a bit extreme. We
must use wisdom and understanding to tackle this ecological problem. I
am very happy there are so many experts from different fields to inform
the discussions of these issues.
II feel that it is extremely important that each
individual realize their responsibility for preserving the environment,
to make it a part of daily life, create the same attitude in their
families, and spread it to the community.
Because we in the Third World face so much
poverty, we sometimes see 'the environmental issues as far away from
us. But we must learn from the problems that are faced by the highly
advanced nations to set the proper path from the beginning.
I look forward to the new ideas from this conference and hope it will bring about much benefit.
Quoted from His Holiness the Dalai Lama's
address at the Consecration of the Statue of Lord Buddha and the
International Conference on Ecological Responsibility-a Dialogue with
Buddhism, Interim Report, 1993: Tibet House, New Delhi.
