WISDOM
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
‘We have to really enlighten what is going on’
DKR: We have come to a point where we really have to address what is happening in the world with global warming. If we don’t address it soon, it is going to get much more difficult to do so as time goes on. Maybe it will be too late, and that will be disastrous. We have to think now about sustainable living for human beings on the earth. From the Buddhist point of view, Dharmadhatu is free of any one, particular, transfixed, reality. Therefore it could be a source of any possibilities. Given that understanding, we can make supplications, and perhaps accumulate collective merit for sustainable, alternative energy resources to manifest. Energy is a primary issue for future generations. The energy we now live on has become limited and problematic for the environment. We have an unhealthy dependency relationship with it. When oil runs short, what are we going to do?
Up to now, science and technology contributed to better human living standards but human beings were insensitive to their downside. Technology has become a problem as well as a benefit. To change our lifestyle completely and adopt a primitive one is scarcely possible. What will be acceptable to the majority of people on Earth? Transformation of the energy system. To avoid further damage to the environment, without drastic sacrifice of living standards. If we could advance just one new technology to higher efficiency, it could make a lot of energy available to us. Take solar (PV) panels. Their efficiency right now is pretty low. Advancing it could replace our current dependence on oil and coal. I don’t discount drawing energy from as yet unknown sources, because Dharmadhatu is not transfixed in one reality. If there is aspiration and merit, I believe there can be technology to draw energy from unrecognized sources.
JS: Many credible scientific reports prove that the entire energy requirements of the US can be generated from renewable energy, and that great gains can come from eliminating the waste of energy characteristic of American culture. Americans use 3 times as much as affluent Europeans. Hence it is actually quite easy for the U.S. to save energy—simply by adopting a European standard. However, such moves are strongly opposed by the fossil fuel industry. It’s a sad reality that they are using powerful PR, media control and political lobbying to suppress developments in alternative energy that already exist, that have already appeared from the Dharmadhatu.
DKR: So your question here is could that be changed, right?
JS: Yes, and also do we have a responsibility as spiritual practitioners to do something about changing it on a subtle level?
DKR: In the past, we were not in the situation we now face with global warming. The majority of people are progressively becoming more aware. It is good that we are finally seeing that what we are doing is causing tremendous destruction in the world. The classical Greek model of the Republic recognized that the strong and advantaged could make mistakes and not know what they were doing. Selfish errors don’t serve anyone’s interest; their own included. Socrates argued that a Republic cannot exist only for the strong and advantaged. If democratic government is to succeed, it is the responsibility of people in general to question those who are strong and advantaged. We have a responsibility to do so. That is what is called for right now. If it is not carried out fully, we don’t have any real basis for democracy.
JS: Sadly, in some peoples’ opinion we might indeed have degenerated into a plutocracy or corporate oligarchy, rather than a democracy.
DKR: In the past the situation had not come to this point. Now the majority of people realize we are in a critical situation. So my feeling is it is going to be different now, because everyone has a stake in what is in front of us. This next decade is going to witness tremendous change. The self-interested position of the strong and advantaged will have to change, because of the response of the majority of human society. That is on its way.
JS: That is an optimistic viewpoint, and I certainly hope it is correct. There is, however, a scientific timeline here. Leading climatologists say there are 7 years left to establish fundamental change, not just of heart, but in practice. We cannot continue to put 70 million tons of carbon gas into the atmosphere every day for more than 7 more years, or we will end up with some kind of general catastrophic state change on Earth - a climate ‘tipping point’.
DKR: Are you saying the danger is imminent and requires urgent corrective action?
JS: That is indeed the scientific case. Has Buddhism anything to contribute there?
DKR: I think we could. I feel there is a big movement in a positive direction, that could spread like wildfire. In the next couple of years it could do tremendous good. That is why we are even talking about this. It depends on the virtue of people alive here and now, and on whether human beings relate to each other more harmoniously. Human beings, other animal species, plants and trees live together on this planet. The atmosphere, the climate and the living world are all interdependent. We must increase our sympathy for the well-being of other animal species and ensure their continuation on this Earth. The same goes for plants and the elements of air and water – all living environmental factors. In the end, when one suffers others are going to suffer. This is how we should understand ‘virtue’. I feel this can be understood much more widely, given the extent of education. Human beings in previous centuries did not have our current level of education.
JS: The U.N. scientific prediction is that 50% of all species of animals and plants on this planet are likely to become extinct by mid-century if ‘business-as-usual’ continues to degrade the climate and wild habitats.
DKR: Awareness of interdependence shows us that when plants become extinct, that means the loss of invaluable human medicines. When forests become extinct, that means the loss of climate regulation. All of this comes down to more awareness. Education systems were established in the last century as living standards improved. Now the majority of people, rather than just an elite, have basic education. We have the basis for an environmental awareness movement that could be formidable.
JS: Even in the short time frame we have left to act definitively?
DKR: Well, I think so. What it comes down to is that the situation is no longer only about the desires of the elite. When they make errors and the mass of people suffer, then they themselves will suffer. At a time like this, the majority need to take responsibility. Powerful interests might not be able to experience a change of heart—greed is not easily changed, after all. The karma is really ripening, and at the same time virtue is appearing in front of all of us. We can see that choice clearly. Instead of affecting indifference, we should reflect and act appropriately. As Buddhists, we can make strong aspirations for positive change to come about, within a time frame that is not too late. Thinking negatively, blaming anyone or feeling hopeless will not help. Taking hope and taking action is what will transform things. As a citizen and also as a Buddhist, we gather our thoughts, create dialogue and promote a positive change process. This raises consciousness of what is happening. Consciousness is very powerful. It is actually the most powerful thing. We have to really enlighten what is going on.
Excerpt from interview by John & Diane Stanley,
Galway, Ireland, August 2007
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, a tulku of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, was born in Northern India. His father was Neten Chokling Rinpoche. He is a lineage holder of the Longchen Nyingtik & Khyen-Kong Chok-Sum lineages and his root teacher was Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He moved to the U.S. in 1989 and founded Mangala Shri Bhuti an organization withseveral retreat centres. He spends much time in retreat himself, and also teaches throughout the world. Rinpoche is an abstract painter and the author of two books, It’s Up to You and Light Comes Through.