An Analytical Study on the Effectiveness of Buddhist Philosophy in the Field of Environment Protection

Abstract

From the beginning, many philosophies intended to define the nature of intimate relationship between human and the environment. Among them, a higher recognition haw been given to Buddhism due to its empirical and universally equitable vision towards the nature. As described in Kutadantha Suthra, state has inalienable duty to protect all plants, animals and natural resources for the best interest of the present and future generations. At present, those duties are reflected through modern environment legal principals such as state responsibility, sustainable development, as well as the inter generational equity, which are currently guaranteed by various domestic and international instruments. Also, according to Adhammika Suthra and Chakkawaththi Sihanada Suthra, if countries are not governing in accordance with the law of nature, everyone has to suffer from natural disasters and environmental defects. Also, the dharma deshana of Arahath Mahinda thero to King Dewanampiya Thissa emphasized the role of the king as the trustee of the environment. This thought has recently quoted by justice Weeramanthri in the case of Hungary v. Slovakia, In Sri Lanka too, number of legislations has been enacted to address aforementioned legal principles. However, due to deficiency of the grass rooted sociological mechanisms, their fruitfulness is somewhat problematic. Therefore, on the basis of Buddhist teachings, it is necessary to build autochthonous mechanism with full and effective participation of all citizens. to protect all natural and environmental resources. Therefore, analyzing the effectiveness of the Buddhist philosophy on Sri Lankan and international environmental jurisprudence, and giving further recommendations on its future developments is the main objective of this research. This research is the outcome of a field survey in combination with both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The information was collected from the general public by using questionnaires. The sample was chosen with due regards to the variety of the age and the level of the education of the interviewees. Information was also collected from legal professionals and academics with expertise in Buddhist philosophy and environmental law. This research was limited to the Colombo area due to practical constraints. In addition to the field research component, a number of books and journal articles were used to gather secondary data on this research area. This research is expected to be an effective foundation to analyze the effectiveness of Buddhist philosophy in Sri Lankan and international environmental legal context.