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Care for Our Environment Buddhist response to Climate Change Johan af Klint ABSTRACT Introduction Buddhism is experiencing a renewed interest in the Western World – in part based on its peaceful appearance and the apparant similarities between the Buddhist thought and modern physics. In parallel herewith, the general public has in a tangible manner from various natural disasters during the past few years become aware of the deteriorating aspects of the environment on a world wide basis – so much so that the Nobel Peace Price in 2007 was given to two advocates for a sounder environment. Buddhist aspects Buddha taught us inter alia that everything is impermanent, changing, empty, without a self (anatta), mutually interpenetrating and interrelated. In fact Buddha emphasized that everything is in a constant process of change (sabbe sankhara anicca).(*) The fundamental fact that everything is interrelated - the Law of Dependent Origination (paticca-samuppada) – is presented on such a delicate manner in the Heart Sutra.(**) On the Buddhist monument Barabudur in Java, this fundamental law is presented on its “hidden base” – illustrating that prior to fully understanding this law, the pilgrim may not continue his pilgrimage (on the monument) for deeper knowledge. Furthermore, Buddhism states that mind is supreme. An impure mind – i.e. a mind defiled by greed, hatred and delusion – undoubtedly leads to suffering. On the contrary, a pure mind – i.e. a mind characterized by the opposite qualities of contentment, compassion and wisdom – inevitably will lead to purity within and to happiness.(***) Buddhism maintains that there is a close link between the moral status of man and the natural resources available to him. Thus man and nature are interdependent. Man has in other words the power to influence nature in a negative sense, as well as in a positive manner. The problem thus centres around ameliorating the moral status of man and eliminating his “three poisons” – greed, hatred and delusion. Suggested actions The following actions are recommended for each respective recipient: Self * Elimination of the “three poisons” greed, hatred and delusion by means of “Learning to do good, ceasing to do evil and purification of mind”; Others * Helping others to eliminate ignorance by means of “The gift of Dhamma”; Nature * Rectifying and safekeeping the delicate and sensitive balance in nature; End notes: Brief Curriculum Vitae Riddargatan 72, SE – 114 57 Stockholm Sweden CIVIL STATUS: Born in Malmoe – Sweden on 31 October 1940 EDUCATION: Master of Science at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm 1962 NON-PROFIT WORK: - Chancellor of the Dhamma Society – Sweden PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 1967 – 1973: Alfa Laval AB, Sweden - Project and Sales Engineer LANGUAGES: English, Italian, German, French. Brief Curriculum Vitae Civil status and age:
Address: Ordenstrappan 1 114 30 STOCKHOLM Tel: +46-8-611 5729 (residence), +46-8-611 6540 (office) Fax: +46-8-611 6580 E-mail: afklint@norvenco.se
Education: 1964 Civilekonom (MBA), Stockholm School of Economics 1966 MBA, University of California (Berkeley) 2007 MA (Fil.mag.), Stockholm University Presently conducting PhD studies in Religious History (Buddhism) at the University of Stockholm. Non-profit work:Chairman of the Dhamma Society – Sweden Support of the Stockholm Buddhist Vihara (Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhism) Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Friendship Association of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, Sweden Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ordenstrappan condominium. Professionell experience:17 years in finance (i.a. being one of a handful of persons, who in the 1970th/1980th introduced modern financial management in the Swedish export and import industries). 21 years as an entrepreneur (having initiated, established and built up three operations - water treatment (industrial and municipal) in England, aqua-culture (shrimp farming and processing) in Guatemala with marketing operations in Europe and in the USA, and venture capital with specialization on High-Tech industries in Sweden. Having hands-on experience of venture capital operations in excess of 10 years). Former Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of a number of industrial and financial companies. Occupation: 1998-2005: NORVENCO AB, 1984-1994: Stockholm, Sweden. CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Venture capital investments in Sweden in the environmental sector (air treatment) and the IT-high-tech sector. Initiated, established and build up companies in industrial and municipal water treatment in England, a company in aqua-culture in Guatemala and a company in venture capital (high-tech) in Sweden. 1994-1998 IM INNOVATIONSMÄKLARNA AB, 1980-1984 SVENSKA PETROLEUM AB, 1978-1980 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M 1976-1978 HANDELSBANKEN, 1972-1976 INTERNATIONAL MARINE BANKING 1969-1972 ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, 1963-1969: ATLAS COPCO AB, |
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