Buddhist Ecological Ethics in Preservation of Indigenous Culture: A Study in Tinsukia District of Assam

Buddhist Ecological Ethics in Preservation of Indigenous Culture: A Study in Tinsukia District of Assam

Luman Taina¹, Dr. Kuntala Dowarah²

¹PhD Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Madhabdev University, Dist. Lakhimpur, Assam, India

²Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Madabdev University, Dist. Lakhimpur, Assam, India

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.816SCO0015

Received: 17 December 2024; Accepted: 26 December 2024; Published: 25 January 2025

ABSTRACT

The paper deals with the role of Buddhist ecological ethics in preservation of indigenous cultures in Assam.  The main philosophical category of Buddhist ethics influences the attitude to nature and environment. The basic provision of Buddhism gives special value of kindness, skillful means non-violence, compassion, meditative awareness human environmental responsibility for all living beings. Buddhist philosophy contains a wealth of insight and moral guidance regarding human-environment relations. Buddhist ecological ethics develops both individual virtue ethics and constructivist social ethics. The aim of the study is to reflect the role of Buddhist ecological ethics in preservation of indigenous cultures in Assam. Religious philosophies impact on preservation of culture and tradition of indigenous communities. In the study both primary observations and secondary sources are collected to fulfill the objectives of the theme.

Keywords: Buddhist ecological ethics, human-environment, tradition, religious ethics

INTRODUCTION

Environment refers to a sum to all the living and non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. All living elements such as plants, animals, birds and insects and non-living includes air, water, sunlight, land and rocks are interconnected with each other for the survival of life on Earth. Assam is the state with projected population of 3.62 crore (July, 2024). In Assam, various environmental issues are seen like pollution, flood, land slide, earthquake and in some range the nature of volcanic eruption in some hilly areas since decades. Due to deforestation and industrialization processes both environment disturbance and ignorance of indigenous community sentiments are identified. The indigenous communities of Assam namely: Bodo, Karbi, Rabha, Mising, Deori, Tai communities, Dimasa, Singpho, Tangsa so on. Mostly, the Chittagong Baruas, Singpho, Tangsa, Tai-Syam, Tai-Phake, Kamti communities are Buddhists by religion in Assam. There is continuation of special relation between indigenous cultures and environment on Earth due to the various religious ecological ethics. Globally, lands inhabited by indigenous communities contain 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Generally, indigenous people are those who lived on their lands before colonial powers claimed the land through problematic legal doctrines of conquest, occupation or other means. They hold unique knowledge system and practice for the sustainable management of natural resources. They have a special relationship with the environment, the land, and all living and non-living things of the universe. United Nations Permanent Forum stated on indigenous issues, the indigenous people have historical continuity or association with a given region or part of a given region prior to colonization of annexation, identify themselves as indigenous and be accepted as members by their community; have strong links to territories, surroundings of natural resources and ecosystems; maintain at least in part, distinct social, economic, and political systems; maintain at least in part, distinct languages, cultures, beliefs and knowledge system; are resolved to maintain and further develop their identity and distinct social, economic, cultural and political institutions as distinct peoples and communities; and often form non-dominant sectors of society. Environmental problem is a global issue. It becomes challenge to the humanity in general and each individual person in particular. All the religious philosophies teach about nature and its importance. Buddhist ecological ethics says the degradation of the world is due to the moral degradation of people, their frivolous attitude to their responsibilities to the world and pointed some significant morals related to human and environment. Environmental issues not only affects life of animals it also harms the healthy environment of indigenous communities and their culture in society. Buddhism is not only a religion it is a philosophy of way of life. There are some similarities between environmental ethics and Buddhist ecological ethics. Environmental ethics is the philosophical study of how humans interact with the natural world and the moral relationship between humans and the environment where Buddhist philosophy also expresses to live healthily and peacefully humans have to maintain good relationships with the environment. Environmental ethics focuses on the conceptual foundations of environmental values as well as more concrete issues surroundings societal attitudes, actions, and policies to protect and sustain bio diversity and ecological systems. Buddhism reinforces to protect bio diversity of the earth for the sustainable development of society and the protection of environmental issues.

OBJECTIVES

The main aims of the study are:

• To indicate the role of Buddhist ecological ethics in human life.
• To identify the beliefs of Buddhist community on environmental ethics.
• To focus in Buddhist ecological ethics in preservation of indigenous cultures.

METHODOLOGY

In the study, Margherita-Sub Divisional areas of Tinsukia District, Assam, were studied and attempted followed various literatures to gain data on the theme followed by visits in various important places to collect information related to the topic. There were six villages adopted in the study, listed below:

Table.1 The Villages chosen for the study (Buddhists Population)

Source: According to the reports by Buddhists Sangha and Buddhist Societies, Dist. Tinsukia, Assam, India,2024

DISCUSSION

Assam is the largest state of Northeastern India in terms of Population. It is the 14^th most populous state in India. According to the reports by National Commission projected population of the state Assam is 3.62crore (36,159,000 persons) or 36.16 million in the year of 2024 (July). Religion in Assam is consists of various traditional and introduced relligions. Around 65% of Assamese people, 90% of Bodo tribe, 83% of Karbi tribe, 94% of Rabha tribe, 97% of Mishing tribe, 99% of Dimasa tribe are mainly Hindu by religion which is 61.41% of total population of the state, according to the 2011 Census. About 34.22% Muslims were found, 3.7 Christians, Budhism only 0.2 % out of total population followed by Jainism 0.1% and Sikkhism 0.1%. Other followers of other religions are also identified in Assam (27,118 persons). In 2024, the total estimated population of the District Tinsukia is 17.8 Lakhsout of total population (3.62 crore). It means Buddhism is also one of the religions which is followed by the communities of the state Assam of North-Eastern India.

In Assam, environmental issues are not only natural issue it is issue of community, their emotions and their indigenous culture. The environmental issues has become a major problems on the society because of the natural environment is a valuable huge resources for human beings. It is the origin of food chain, it originate sources of all aspects of human existence. Whenever it has problems on environment, it will affect to indigenous beliefs, attitudes, values and culture. The problem of environmental occurs due to moral degradation of humans. The difficulty in environment is a major hindrance to develop the country achieving the given objectives. Buddhism is a way existed since 2500 years ago by Lord Gautama Buddha. It not only a philosophy it is a way of life living aiming at developing, purifying the behavior, mind and practicing the consciousness and intelligence in order to see the world and real life, scientifically. It is a religion generated by human. It is a belief of humanity and for the way of life living that goal is to solve the problems or the suffering of mankind.Buddhism is based on impermanence that everything is changing, that everything is constantly rising and falling away. It emphasizes that everything has ended and decomposed and nothing is stable and forever. Buddhism is basically Dhamma or Dharma (same) that has two interrelated areas:

1. The teachings of Buddha and
2. Nature that includes everything, including the laws of nature that apply to all life.

For an example: the teachings are the compassion and loving kindness that were taught by Lord Buddha. Thus Buddhism has respect for all beings and approaches them with compassion and loving kindness, such as a reverence for all life. The blessings of Buddhists often state, “May all beings be happy”, and “May all beings be peaceful”. Buddhism is founded in 525 BCby Sidhartha Gautama in India.Gradually, in 6^th to 7^th century, Buddhism was spread in many countries due to cultural and philosophical significance and similarities with other culture and beliefs. For example: China was especially receptive to Buddhism because its teachings were similar to Taoism and Confucius. Taoism or Daoism is a religion and philosophy that holds humans and animals should live in balance with the universe. Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where spirit of the body joins the universe after death. And Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, righteousness, harmonious social relationships, kindness, sincerity, and a ruler’s responsibilities to lead by virtue. The Buddhistphilosophy not only through India but also throughout the world; as a result of a wave, Ceylon, Burma (Myanmar), Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Laos, Mongolia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan are among the countries represented. Today, there are about 500 million Buddhists found in the world, which is around 7-8% of the world’s population.

Buddhist ecological ethics are based on the idea that all things in the univers are equal and that humans should live in harmony with nature by not killing animals, Compassion, understanding nature, karma, and kind attitudes towards nature. We can utilize natural resources in proper way if we protect them and live harmoniously with nature. This ecological philosophy helped to maintain harmonious relationship between human and environment. It also acknowledges that everything that happens (human) depends upon nature. This ecological ethics says to live healthily and peacefully life,humans have to maintain good relationships with the environment. There are some major principles Ecological Ethics in Buddhism. The Buddhist Ecological ethics are explained below:

1. Preservation of Nature: This principle of Buddhist ecology teaches people to preserve the natural environment through the Dharma or Dhamma (means dharma in Pali word).
2. Kind to Nature: Buddhist ecological ethics teaches the people to be kind to nature and treats the nature as a part of life. We should not harm each other’s life.
3. Dharma: In Buddhism, it is seen that the natural environment is an important factor that contribute the peace in mind, forests, jungles, rivers, and streams are the natural places in proper for practicing the Dharma or Dhamma (means dharma in Pali word) teachings and core way meditation. Buddhist ecology believes that the natural environment condition reflected in terms of joyfulness, being pleased to practice Dharma among the nature.
4. Supportive: Buddhism ecological ethics says that the natural environment as a supportive factor for the body and mind, it is considered that the environment is friendly to human.
5. Changeability: According to Buddhist ecological ethics, changeability is one of the perennial principles of nature. Everything changes in nature and nothing remains static.
6. Interdependency: Buddhist ecology views to suggest interdependency between humans and nature, causality and retribution, equality among all living things and pursuing of earth.The environmental view of Buddhism is a life centric one, and is life dependent or independent too. Both Buddhism and environment are mutually interdependent and inter connected relationships.
7. Circulation: The concept of Cycle or cycling that birth and death is repeating in the universe (the cosmos) is important for considering the system of cycling in society. Moreover, the concept of ‘rebirth of life’ is significant for cultivating views of environmental ethics.
8. Symbiosis: Nature and environment are seen in the doctrine of dependent origination in Buddhism which is similar to the concepts of ecology. Everything is somehow connected. Therefore, the symbiosis of the nature and living things are primarily in maintain one world.
9. Intrinsic Value of Nature: The doctrine of dependent origination shows everything in the ecosystem is equal in value. Because all living things and non-living things have the nature and values. According to Buddhist ecological ethics, they are regarded as having an equal dignity and intrinsic values on earth.

In the study, it was measured that Buddhists communities are following the religious principles and ethics or not? If they are following what are the activities they are practicing to preserve their indigenous culture. At present, there are 22 villages are identified where Buddhist Communities are found under sub-divisional areas of Margherita in Tinsukia District of Assam, listed below:

Table.2 Number of Villages in Tinsukia District, Assam (Availability of Buddhist Community)  Year-2024

Source: According to the reports by Buddhists Sangha and Buddhist Societies, Dist. Tinsukia, Assam, India, 2024

According to Table No. 2, there are about 22 villages found in Tinsukia District of Assam. Specially, tribes are practicing and following Buddhism in Assam. Some of the Hill tribes (Tangsa and Tai-Phake) and some Plain tribes (Singpho and Turung)  have adopted Buddhism in Tinsukia District of Assam in North Eastern India.

Table.3 Buddhist Communities in Tinsukia District of Assam

Source: Buddhists Sangha and Buddhist Societies, Dist. Tinsukia, Assam, India, 2024

The above table.3 shows that according to the reports by Buddhists Sangha and Buddhist Societies, Dist. Tinsukia, Assam, there are some major Buddhist communities are found in the Dist. of Tinsukia, Assam, are practicing Buddhism, namely: Chittagong Baruas, Tai-Phake, Tai-Syam, Turung, Singpho, Tangsa, Khamti, and Chakma.

In Assam, Buddhist Communities are practicing and observing various rituals and activities to protect and safeguard their culture, tradition, religious beliefs and faith on religious ethics. There are various activities followed by the Buddhist community to preserve their indigenous cultures:

1. Weaving and Spinning: Weaving and spinning is a cultural and traditional activity. The Budhhist community believes to celebrate and offer Kathina robes (Chivara in Pali) to the Monastic Sangha, it symbolizing the generosity and devotion of the lay community. This act of giving fosters spiritual merit, strengthens the bond between the laypeople and the Bhikkhu or monastic community, and sustains the monastic tradition. In this activity the robes are made by cotton fabrics which are collected from cotton plants and the woolen fiber which is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially rabbits, muskoxen and goats. Accordingly we can say there is direct or indirect relationship is seen between human and nature. Since time immemorial, it helps to preserve the indigenous culture and traditions of communities of Assam.
2. Celebration of religious festivals: There are many religious festivals celebrated by the Buddhist Community in Assam. According to the Tai Buddhist Calendar some holy days are specific to a particular Buddhist tradition. Buddhists festivals are vary from country to country and Buddhists traditions. Some of the Buddhist festivals which are celebrated in Assam are stated below:
   1. Poi- Sangken or Festival of water: This festival is celebrated to mark the start of New Year. It is celebrated during spring season in the month of April (2^nd to 3^rd week of April month). Ritually, Buddhists devotees pour clean water on Lord Budhha statues, other sacred objects, and each other as well as making and sharing handmade sweets which are made by new rice, fruits, and flour.
   2. Maiko-Sumphai or Magh Purnima: Lord Buddha Pronounced his impending death on this Day. It is a religious festival celebrated by Theraveda (Buddhism originated in India) Buddhist in Assam. The festival is held on first full moon day of the month of February or March. It marks the end of winter season and the beginning of summer season in the third Lunar year.
   3. Chong-Lu Poi (Festival of Donation of Monastery): In Buddhism Chong-Lu Poi or Donation of Monastery festival is one of the festivals in Assam. In this festival a person of a group or a community builds a Monastery and donates it socially by organizing a grand celebration. The Monastery is made up of Wood, Bamboo, cement, bricks, iron etc.
   4. Upasatha (Festival celebrated in Full moon, Half moon and quarter moon days): This is called as four monthly holy days which continues to be observed by Theraveda Buddhist society- the new moon, full moon, and quarter moon days.
   5. Buddha Jyanti or Bodhi Day: The day is observed the awakening or enlightenment of Lord Buddha. In this day special chanting sutras (Buddhist Texts), offerings, donations or dana, and doing acts of kindness. This day celebrate in full moon day in the month of May.
3. Plantation: The Buddhists community has been practiced with of living in harmony with the nature. Lord Buddha advocated for conservation of animals and plants to live life harmoniously. Banyan tree is believed as holy tree, symbol of Buddhism and it is also known as national tree of India.
4. Meditation: Meditation is one of the techniques of yoga like Asana, Pranayama. And the yogic meditation is often called as Pranayama means extension of your prana force. The closest word for meditation is the classical languages of Buddhism are Bhavana (mental development) and Dhyana (mental training resulting in calm a luminous mind). Meditation based on Buddhist mediation principles has been practiced by people for a long time for the purpose of effecting mundane and worldly benefit. Buddhist meditation techniques have been advocated in the west by some psychologists and expert Buddhist meditation teachers such as Thich, Nhat, Hanh, Pema Chodron, Clive Sherlock, Ta Brach, Alan Clements and Salzberg. They have been widely attributed with playing a significant role in integrating the healing aspects of Buddhism in whole world. Nowadays, Buddhist meditation techniques are used in psychology and neurosciences. It has been observed that meditating has many mental health benefits such as reducing stress, anxiety and depression.

Thus, Buddhist ecological ethics helps to understand morality, spirituality, and activities towards humanity. In Assam, various ethnic groups are trying to preserve their indigenous culture in various ways. Due to advancement of technology and science it is not easy task to hold the culture and tradition and its originality. However, for the advancement of tribal communities and development of cultural aspects it is very essential to preserve indigenous culture and tradition.

FINDINGS

• All the Buddhist communities believe in practical activities are more important to perform the religious ethics and duties
• To perfume religious activities we have to understand the importance of environmental ethics because both are interconnected.
• Environmental ethics plays a vital role emergence of Buddhist philosophy.
• Due to industrialization and sophisticated technology the communities are facing trouble in preservation of their indigenous culture and tradition in Assam.
• Due to syncretic process of beliefs people are not able to perform the actual duties to preserve their indigenous culture and beliefs.

CONCLUSION

According to Buddhist ecological ethics, a person cannot be separated from other living beings. In 21^st Century, the movement for an ethical attitude towards animals began to gain strength. Today, we are faced with the need to recognize our moral duty to nature. Both Buddhism and ecology have an eco-centric and spiritual approach. Both defines problems created through ignorance and greed and solve such issues by moving from an anthropocentric orientation to a spiritually based eco-centric approach. All the religions of the world have traditionally expressed some ethical concern for the environment and its significance. Buddhist ecological approach signifies the relationship between the religious values and human attitudes towards environment. The Buddhist communities are maintaining and practicing their indigenous culture and traditions by giving preferences to religious ethics. In Assam, the ethnic groups are trying to preserve their identity and culture by following their respective beliefs. Buddhist ecological ethics says the degradation of the world is due to the moral degradation of people, their frivolous attitude to their responsibilities to the world and pointed some significant morals related to human and environment.

REFERENCE

1. Ambedkar, Dr. B.R. (2017). The Buddha and his Dhamma. New Delhi. Kalpaz Publication,
2. Bapat, P.V. (2018). 2500 Years of Buddhism. . New Delhi: Publications Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the govt. of India
3. Buddha, Gautama. 2023. Dahammapada: The Teachings of the Buddha. New Delhi: OM Saitech Books Publication
4. Dutta, Soumyadeep. 2014. Asomot Boudha Dharma Aru Boudha Sanskriti. Dibrugarh-1 and Guwahati-1, Assam: Banalata
5. Easwaran, Eknath. 2009. The Dhammapada. New Delhi: Jaico Publishing House
6. Elwin Verrier. A New Book Of Tribal Fiction. Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar:The Director of Research
7. Geyi, Goken. The Singpho of North East India. New Delhi: Regency Publications
8. Hesse, Hermann. 2020. Siddhartha. Mumbai: Arushi Book Enterprises
9. Kashyap, Bhikkhu, J. Buddhism For Everyday. NewDelhi: Siddharth Books Publication.
10. Kumar, Dr. Munish & Verma, Dr. Sunil, Kumar. 2020. New Delhi: Media Solutions
11. Imran, Hussain, Muzzamel. 2024. Religious philosophies and Environmental Ethics. USA: Bentahm Science Publisher
12. Talukdar, S.P. 2024. Genesis of Chakma Buddhists and their Pulverization worldwide. New Delhi: Kalpaz Publication
13. Thakur, Sharma, G.C. 2013. The Tai Phakes of Assam. Delhi: B.R. Publishing Corporation. https://www.ijesd.org/vol11/1243-A078.pdf
14. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340401343_Environmental_Ethics_of_Buddhism
15. https://www.totetu.org/assets/media/paper/j011_167.pdf
16. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/28dc/b99447b395821eeb07fa5f77ae84368d803b.pdf
17. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4434366
18. https://academic.oup.com/book/25772/chapter/193340441
19. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/buddhism-amp-environmentalism-how-north-east-indias-monastic-communities-are-championing-green-initiatives20230606130739
20. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/taoism/
21. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
22. https://mbsiindia.org/two-day-kathina-chivara-dana-ceremony-successfully-concludes-at-the-maha-bodhi-society-of-india-buddha-gaya/
23. https://www.buddhanet.net/festival/
24. https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/support/world_religions/buddhism/times-dates.pdf
25. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/buddhist-monks-prompt-initiative-to-protect-forest-sanctuary-in-assam/
26. https://www.socialchangeanddevelopment.in/downloads/january2023/paper-1.pdf
27. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10575522/#:~:text=Abstract,to%20climate%20change%20and%20health
28. https://www.pdcnet.org/scholarpdf/show?id=sixth-isaps_2002_0047_0061&pdfname=sixth-isaps_2002_0047_0061.pdf&file_type=pdf
29. https://www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/indigenous-peoples-defending-environment-all
30. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/indigenous-peoples-and-nature-they-protect
31. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211464522000550
32. https://uwethicsofcare.gws.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ethics_of_Caring_in_Environmental_Ethics-1.pdf
33. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_environmentalism
34. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521693422001298
35. https://www.scu.edu/environmental-ethics/short-course-in-environmental-ethics/lesson-ten/
36. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339363101_Religions_and_Environmental_Ethics_A_Comparative_Study_of_John_B_Cobb_Jr_and_Seyyed_Hossein_Nasr
37. https://www.sunnataram.org/dhamma-teachings/buddhist-environmental-ethics
38. https://www.ijesd.org/show-150-1731-1.html
39. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/28081/chapter/212133892
40. https://www.mdpi.com