Our Inherent Spirituality

Generally, when we perceive the myriad phenomena of the world, we see only their external appearances and fail to recognize their spirituality. For this reason, the purpose of advocating spiritual ecology is to help people understand that all phenomena are endowed with spirituality; indeed, they all arise through the transformations of spirituality. Nothing exists that is not spiritual.

Therefore, we should not regard the myriad phenomena as isolated or separate entities. Like ourselves, they possess spirituality, and the diverse forms they assume are manifestations of the transformations of spirituality. Since all things are endowed with spirituality, the relationship between humanity and the natural world should be understood as one of partnership rather than exploitation.

If we approach spiritual ecology with the understanding that all beings share the same essential nature, we will be able to live in harmony with the myriad forms of life. We can engage in mutual assistance and support, interconnectedness, and mutual support for thriving, respect the intrinsic value of all beings, embrace the space for coexistence, and refrain from thinking solely in terms of human interests. Every species requires the conditions necessary for its survival and reproduction, and the fruits of that reproduction should be shared among all.

Much of humanity's conflict, exploitation, and warfare arises from an unwillingness to share. Exploitation stems from viewing only human survival as important. In reality, our perspective should place the myriad forms of life at the center, for all beings are our partners. We are all spiritual, and we are all ecological in nature. Ecology carries profound implications: it encompasses the diverse transformations of spirituality. Species are spirituality, and spirituality is species. This is the understanding we should hold.

Spirituality may be understood in two aspects: deluded spirituality and awakened spirituality. When spirituality is awakened, it is buddhahood; when it is deluded, it is the condition of sentient beings. Sentient beings each possess different perspectives and patterns of thinking. Upon awakening, however, one realizes that all phenomena share the same spirituality, which transcends greed, aversion, and ignorance, as well as all material phenomena. One understands that spirituality is neither material nor something produced by any other entity. It is simply spirituality itself—a quality that every one of us inherently present and has always possessed.

Once we understand that all phenomena are spiritual, we recognize that spirituality is the very source of the myriad forms of existence. Without this spirituality, no form of life could arise or flourish. Only through such an understanding can we develop genuine compassion for all species and refrain from exploiting them. Thus, when we truly realize that “the myriad phenomena are spirituality, and spirituality is the myriad phenomena,” genuine peace can finally arise.