Problem: We have been experiencing global economic disasters such as economic meltdown, bankruptcy, unemployment, debt, etc.; global ecological deterioration as manifested in climate change, desertification, deforestation, pollution, extinction, etc.; global social disintegration, shown in wars, terrorism, genocide, starvation, discrimination, etc.; and global cultural demise, as in the rise of dogmas, fanaticism, sectarianism, selfishness, etc.
We have entered into the sixth mass extinction (hundreds of species going extinct per day), caused by human civilization for the first time, which may terminate civilization along with the runaway ecological and economic catastrophe. Problems of such magnitude multiply with population explosion and technology innovation. Still people are ignorant of and irresponsible for them, playing ostrich and acting with audacity. This intertwined global problematique is a system failure.
Cause: The culprit is civilization (urbanization) competing for limited matter and power. With the development of walled city states came an artificial social system marked by the five calamities of civilization – delusion and bondage, leading to discrimination, exploitation, and extermination. In the nation states of the modern era, these have grown on an unprecedented scale. The natural cyclical system has been violated, replaced with a artificial pyramidal system in which the delusion of independent “ego” at the base unilaterally (un-systemically, unsustainably) feeds the top, all bound by discrimination, etc. This is system ignorance. Thus, we need the awakened way.
Solution: The independent ego, an increasingly bloated element within the interrelated, encompassing eco (system truth), goes against the law of Dependent Origination. In this Buddhist concept, the ego is like a bubble on the ocean. The solution to our global emergency lies in diminishing delusion and desire, so that the bubble may reunite with the ocean. This is the way of religion: reunion from disintegration to integration, holiness, a wholesome whole. This is the system solution. So, we need the global ethic.
Civilization must be replaced by culture, sharing limitless mind and life in truth, beauty, goodness, and holiness, through the cultivation of the five blisses: awakening, freedom, equality, love, and peace. We need a paradigm shift from the ego-oriented, pyramidal system to an eco-oriented, cyclical system, the general rule being to “lower walls and pyramids of egos.” The major players in modern civilization must transform into a natural system: nations into super-nations or NGOs, with decentralized centers; corporations into NPOs; media into mini-communicators; education into life learning with all; religions into “wholesome whole.”
Methods: Follow Nature’s way of Five Ss (Systemic, Sustainable, Saving, Simple, Safe); Five Ls (Law, Life, Love, Liberation, Lielessness). We have a well-trodden, fail-safe, awakened way to live on joy with all always, rather than a delusive way to live in the slavery of all always. The practical way to stop human karma and settle in truth and peace is sitting meditation, living the law of Dependent Origination. Tree-like truth is itself peace and ethic. Let’s establish our lives in Nature’s cyclical system, cultivating ourselves in truth and peace. This is the system life, not selfish life. Then, we need voluntary simplicity.