An environmental problem
| (Tohon Newsletter Vol.2_No.3_Total No.7) By Mr. SUZUKI Hiroichiro Living in Nichinan City, Miyazaki, Kyushu district. Itajiki Branch Church Scrap: Thrown away things as garbage. In this recycle society, we are requested to practice three “R”s or four “R”s for solving an environmental problem, which we face in the world today. I would like to think about these three “R”s. First of all, it is “R” as in re-use which means using them again. For instance, we make many sheets of used copy paper at my church. We re-use the backside of those used copy papers for testing another copy or re-use them as scratch paper. Oyasama did not waste one sheet of paper, not even an old scrap of paper. She carefully smoothed out the wrinkles of the paper that had been used as gift wrapping and placed them under Her cushion to be used again. The re-use of materials involves using them again in another way after they have already been used once, rather than thrown away. There are many stories or episodes of Oyasama, which related to the meaning of “re-use” in the anecdotes of Oyasama. On the other hand, after re-using materials, next is to recycle things that have been already used, such as bottles, sheets of paper, you process them so that they can be used again. Second “R” is “R” as in recycle. Third “R” is which we should not waist things as possible as we could, but we must less in amount of waists or make them smaller in size. This is “reduce”. In this recycle society we must practice these three “R”s in our daily life. In the anecdotes of Oyasama said: “Do not waste even a single vegetable leaf. Leftovers will nourish you. It is not gluttony.” I think these words of Oyasama were somehow related to the word “reduce.” What does that mean? It means that we should reduce waists in amount, we should eat them up even one leaf of vegetables as possible as we could. Even leftovers are going to be our important energy, our blood and our body. But if we left them long time, they are just going to be spoiled. It is not shameful or poor act but is considered very important. Oyasama also re-used a broken rice bowl again and again. In the anecdotes, Oyasama also said about necessary things about the recycle society; “ You must treasure things. You must make good use of everything. Everything is a gift from God. Nothing is useless.” Through practicing of these “R”s step by step, I believe that we, as Tenrikyo could cooperate to solve this environmental problem that we face today in our society. Therefore, I think, as Tenrikyo follower, we should consider importance of our natural resources once again. --This essay was quoted from “Tohon” quarterly No. 201. Return to the top of the page. |
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