A Transformative Exploration into Environmental Realization in Light of Early Buddhism and Bṛahdāranyaka Upanishad

The realisation that there is "unsatisfactoriness" (dukkha) in the world and that it can be eradicated by following the Noble Eight-Fold Path is central to the Buddhist doctrine. Buddhism likewise holds that there is nothing solid about the world as we know it or the beings that inhabit it. On the contrary, dependent origination (Pratītyasamutpāda) is how existence manifests itself. Nothing is permanent; everything is subject to change. But the interdependence of all beings and their submission to the cosmic law of karma are inherent in this dependent life. A strong sense of compassion for all other living beings that are "trapped" in this cycle of dependent origination is a fundamental component of practicing the Eight-Fold path. In the Upaniṣadic perspective, we see that Bṛahdāraṇyaka Upaniṣad argues that one should meditate on oneself. This emphasizes that men may roll up the sky like a piece of leather, but there will be no end of sorrow unless man understands the luminous self within. There is homogeneity between human life on one hand and the rest of the universe on the other. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate how the Upanishadic and Buddhist worldview relates to the environmental problems that face modern society.