Hindus urge their temples worldwide to become “green”

Special to Earthpages.org

Hindus have urged their temples worldwide to become “green temples”.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, said that we should make our temples more environmentally friendly places in order to provide environmental leadership in the community; to give devotees a healthy, toxic-free sacred place; and to preserve God’s creation for present and future generations.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that humanity was facing a threatening ecological crisis and Hindus would not stay out as silent spectators. He urged all Hindu religious leaders and groups to openly bless the environmental causes, as faith coming out in support of the environment would be a remarkable signal.

Rajan Zed pointed out that ancient Hindu scriptures, especially Atharva-Veda, were highly respectful of mother nature..

Zed said that there was no common single formula for temples to become green as every temple was structured differently. Various categories where temples could work to become green included making purchases, temple services, education/information and social care, transportation, waste management, energy usage, etc., environment friendly.

Highlight the environment related issues given in the scriptures, undertake energy-saving survey of the temple buildings and become energy efficient, choose environment friendly products, limit usage of cleaning chemicals, purchase energy saving appliances/devices/machines, switch-off lights/computers/machinery when not in use, limit water usage, plant more trees, install eco-friendly energy supply, use temple grounds in environmentally friendly ways, etc., Zed stresses.

Rajan Zed argued that world religions should develop a global partnership to check the increasing greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric ozone concentrations. Religion was the most powerful and far-reaching force in our society and could prove very influential in handling concerns like ecological responsibility.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion followers and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.