Understand Deep Ecology and its correlation with the environmental philosophy of Ancient Indian religions

This research paper investigates the conceptual alignment between Arne Naess’s modern environmental philosophy of “Deep Ecology” and the ecospiritual tenets of ancient Indian religions, specifically Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Amidst mounting global environmental crises, the study examines how Naess’s core principles—such as Ecosophy, Biospheric Egalitarianism, Intrinsic Value, and Symbiosis—closely resonate with ancient Eastern worldviews. Textual analysis reveals that the Vedic invocations for cosmic peace, the Upanishadic narrative of interconnected creation, the Buddhist concepts of Pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination) and Śūnyatā, and the foundational Jain aphorism Parasparopagraho Jīvānām (mutual interdependence) collectively mirror the modern science of ecology. Furthermore, Naess’s notion of ‘Selfrealization’ draws direct inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence rooted in the essential oneness of life. Ultimately, the paper underscores the contemporary relevance of integrating these traditional moral and scriptural frameworks into modern education and interfaith initiatives to foster global ecological harmony.