Environmental work
Hindu teachings on the environment
Many Hindus are concerned with the damage that humans are doing to the Earth so will try to make the right choices regarding the environment. Many attempt to recycle and reduce their A measure of how much carbon is used through the activities of a person, company or country., and they may volunteer as part of their own personal dharma to ensure that they look after God鈥檚 creation. As Hindus believe in Actions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism., they wish to be mindful of how they treat the Earth as they believe their actions will have consequences. As a result, it is important that they do not use up the world鈥檚 resources, which are now scarce due to overconsumption.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches: The gods will give you the food of your desire. Whoever enjoys their gift, yet gives nothing, is a thief, no more, no less (Bhagavad Gita 3.12).
This means that humans should be grateful for what the natural world provides, including vegetation, soil and trees. The teaching aims to encourage Hindus to view the world鈥檚 resources as belonging to God. If humans instead view the world鈥檚 resources as belonging to themselves, they are being selfish and their actions will be considered theft.
As a result of their belief in the importance of protecting the environment, many Hindus also take steps to protect animals. Some choose to be vegetarian as they practise The Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh principle of total non-violence, in thoughts, words and actions. .
Cow protection
Hindus believe that cows are sacred animals, and as a result they oppose their slaughter. Therefore, there is a global Hindu movement to protect cows. One organisation that is part of this movement is the International Society of Cow Protection (ISCOWP). This organisation works to educate people about why cows require protection. It outlines the idea that, for Hindus, the cow is viewed as a mother. In Knowledge. Specifically refers to the oldest and most sacred Hindu texts and scriptures, written in Sanskrit. Any teaching which is consistent with these scriptures is also accepted as Vedic (ie in the same group of scriptures as the Vedas). scriptures, the idea that the cow provides milk affirms the belief that the cow is one of the Earth鈥檚 mothers. ISCOWP offers the opportunity to adopt a cow, which allows a person to financially support the life of a working cow and ensure that the animal is not slaughtered. Early in his life, Hindu deity, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. There are many tales of him as a mischievous but loving child. was a cow herder, and Hindus attempt to protect cows to emulate his work.
A hymn in the The oldest and most sacred Hindu scripture. focuses on the cow. It teaches Hindus that they should not kill or mistreat a cow: The fiend who smears himself with flesh of cattle 鈥 who steal the milch-cow鈥檚 milk away, O Angi, - tear off the heads of such with fiery fury (Rig Veda 1087.16鈥19).
Therefore, Hindus believe that they will be punished if they harm a cow. They do everything they can to ensure the safety and protection of cows as part of their belief in karma and ahimsa.
