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Manifesto 2000 No.5
Point Five of the Manifesto 2000 addresses the environment. An environmentalist who is full of anger and pollutes himself with nicotine and hatred cannot succeed, because the base of operation is oneself. Many take refuge in drugs, alcohol, consumption, television, and work to avoid the suffering, lack of peace, and the internal “film” of impermanence. Freedom of expression must go together with a sense of responsibility, not destroying children or adults with toxic media. To truly protect the planet, one must first take care of the therapist or the environmentalist; the well-being of the world depends on the well-being of the body and mind.
The Diamond Sutra offers a deep teaching on ecology by helping to remove four notions:
- Self: Seeing that the self is made of non-self elements, just as a flower is made of non-flower elements.
- Living beings: Recognizing that living beings are made of non-living elements like water, air, and minerals; to protect the living, one must protect the non-living.
- Human being: Seeing that humans are made of non-human elements like animals and vegetables.
- Lifespan: Realizing that life does not begin at birth or end at death, but shares the nature of no birth and no death.
Point Six focuses on contributing to the development of community. The twentieth century was characterized by individualism, but happiness is not an individual matter. As a drop of water, one evaporates, but as a river, one reaches the ocean. Building Sangha allows for the development of talents while being protected by the collective. This point calls for the full participation of women, including the reestablishment of bhikshunī orders, and creating new forms of solidarity. Signing the Manifesto is not enough; it requires concrete practice. Communities and leaders should gather every two weeks to recite the six points and discuss their implementation in daily life, transforming the agreement into a culture of peace and non-violence.
