Christians and Buddhists should work together to promote respect for the earth and a safe, clean environment, said the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.In a message for the feast of Vesakh, a commemoration of the major events in the life of Buddha, the Vatican council urged Christians and Buddhists to work together to contribute to the public debate concerning climate change and sustainable development.
The Vatican released the message April 29 as many Buddhist communities were preparing to celebrate Vesakh May 12-18.
The message, signed by the council's president, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, and secretary, Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, said Christian and Buddhist traditions respect creation and "have a common concern to promote care for the environment which we all share."
All people should be concerned with the future of the planet including "matters of grave concern" such as climate change, environmental preservation and sustainable development, it said.
Governments, industries, and grass-roots groups have recognized that there are "ethical implications present in all economic and social development," and they are paying more attention to biodiversity, climate change and protecting the environment, it said.
While religious leaders have been adding their voices to the public debate, it said, Christians and Buddhists can work together to "be harbingers of hope for a clean, safe and harmonious world."
"Christianity and Buddhism have always upheld a great respect for nature and taught that we should be grateful stewards of the earth," said the message.
The only way to ensure efforts to protect the environment will never be sullied by human greed or hindered by special interests is to help people understand the relationship between "the divine Creator, creation and creatures."
The message asked Christians and Buddhists to collaborate more on environmental projects and remind people of their individual responsibility to care for the earth through public education and "our good example" as caring stewards.
The message said initiatives focusing on "recycling, energy conservation, the prevention of indiscriminate destruction of plant and animal life, and the protection of waterways" are some things that would "foster good will and promote cordial relationships among peoples.
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