Pāli Terminologies for ‘Nature’ and ‘Harmonious Co-existence’ in

Biodiversity
Rev. Upali
University of Peradeniya
1. Introduction
Ian Harris, a prominent scholar, in his essay Buddhism and Ecology, has
initially stated that:
It is with great ingenuity that one can identify approximate Buddhist
equivalents to the terms, such as ‘environment ‘, ‘eco-system’,
‘ecology’, or indeed ‘nature’ itself, that are central to the contemporary
discourse of environmental concern.1

Such statements initiating an essay do not seem propitious for a general

reader, if not a serious student, to explore in-depth Buddhist ecological
philosophy. Of these four terms ‘eco-system’ and ‘ecology’ themselves
being of very late origin2 it is quite pointless to seek equivalent terms in a
language and civilization more than two millenniums old and no more in use
for centuries; thereby no opportunity developing the vocabularies. However,
equivalent concepts denoted by the term ‘nature’ are not totally absent in
Pāli language. If the Pāli language has been spoken up to now there is no
doubt of terms equivalent to ‘ecology’ and ‘eco-system’ being invented in
Pāli, just as in other languages. Here while adducing the proper reasons for
the absence of equivalent Pāli terms for ‘ecology’ and ‘eco-system’ I also
draw some canonical evidences forwarding Pāli terms conveying parallel
ideas of ‘nature’ and proposing the term ‘saṁvāsa’ as most appropriate term
for ‘harmonious co-existence’ in bio-diversity.

2. Terms for Nature

Nature, defined as the original form of anything and everything without any
human intervention, is equivalent to the Sanskrit word ‘prakŗti’3. In
language/s like Bengali the direct transliteration of the term ‘prakŗti’ is used
for ‘nature’. The Pāli transliteration of the term is ‘pakati’. Another term used

1
Ian Harris, p.112
2
The term ecology was introduced by the German biologist Ernst Heinrich Haeckel in 1866;
it is derived from the Greek oikos (“household”), sharing the same root word as economics.
Thus, the term implies the study of the economy of nature.

The term ecosystem was coined in 1935 by the British ecologist Sir Arthur George Tansley,
who described natural systems in “constant interchange” among their living and nonliving
parts.
Both quotations from - Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation.
3
Prakŗti, formed as pra+kŗti in Sanskrit and pakati (pa+kati) in Pāli; kŗti from Sanskrit root
kŗ (to do) means ‘making up, constituting etc.‘ and combined with pra means ‘the original
characteristics that make up’. In usages, this means nature. pakati also refers to habit; as
the term ‘nature’ in the expression – human-nature etc. is used.
for nature in sinhala language is ‘svabhāva’ which has its origin in Pāli
(sabhāva)4 and Sanskrit (svabhāva). Lily De Silva proposes three terms –
‘yathābhūta’5, ‘dhammatā’6, ‘niyāmatā’7 - as most appropriate to ‘nature’.8
All these terms have been used to convey basically twofold ideas – the
material nature, and the natural law. In the Buddhist discourses, rather than
the general meanings denoting nature, these terms have been
philosophized. Although etymologically defined they have subtle differences,
when the comprehension or realization of intrinsic nature of phenomenal
existence is concerned they convey the parallel idea. The question of
defining the ‘intrinsic nature’ has been developed to such complexity in later
Buddhism that some schools relating the theory of aniccā (impermanence)
and anattā (soullessness) have concluded, there is, in fact, no intrinsic
nature. In spite of such philosophical expositions of these terms their general
meanings are not altogether to be ignored. In fact, when necessity
commands such usages have to be popularized.

The Pāli -English dictionary enumerates, according to the commentary to

Majjhima Nikāya, seven definitions of the term bhūta. Of the seven
definitions, all the aspects of nature including animate and inanimate, animal
kingdom, plants, vegetable kingdom, etc. have been enumerated.
The Buddhist concept of world as composed of the four great elements
(mahābhūtāni) has two fundamental aspects. In the popular expression such
as – the world is established on turmoil9, the term loka is used to denote:
1. the external or natural world, and
2. the human body considered as world.
Forwarding the view that human bodies composed of the forces of solidity,
liquidity, heat, and motion there is an attempt to integrate human form and
4
Sabhāva, formed as sa+bhāva, sa (sva in Sanskrit) denoting ‘own’ or ‘original; bhāva from
bhū (to be, to exist etc.)’ means ‘existence’; therefore, anything that has its own
characteristics has its ‘own nature’. Sabhāva, also used in the way pakati or prakŗti is used.
Pakati and sabhāva are used like synonyms.
5
yathābūta, formed as yathā (just as, as it is etc.)+bhūta, from bhū (as above) means what
has become etc. yathābhūta, often combined with ñāna (knowledge) meaning ‘the
knowledge of what has become/arisen (as it has become/arisen)’; that is, knowing the ‘as it
is’ of everything.
6
dhammatā, (dharmitā in Sanskrit) formed as dhamma+tā, dhamma having manifold
connotations also means ‘law’. In this case, meaning law of existence or the phenomenal
existence.
7
The word ‘niyāma’ meaning law has been made an abstract noun and used as a synonym
to dhammatā. ‘niyāma’ combined with ‘utu’ means the law of seasons. Also combined with
citta (mind), dhamma, kamma (action), and bīja (seed) in the popular usages.
8
Lily de Silva, p.10
9
dukkhe loko patițțhito
world as one at least in our material constituents. Therefore, the harm that
is done to any of these four elements brings counter-reactions to us. This
reciprocal relationship helps deconstruct human-pride and develop constant
awareness to care for natural objects at least for our own peaceful existence.

In spite of all the terms pointed above, Buddhism recognizes and addresses
several plants and animal kinds. The words satta, pāna and jīva are used to
refer to all forms of sentient beings on earth. Thus, in the expressions
contending to develop all-encompassing metta (loving kindness) and even
when the precept of refraining from harming lives are considered there is no
sense of any discrimination. In other words, these terms have been used
commonly for all the living beings including human. Thus, the recognition of
nature and natural objects in Buddhist literature have been incorporated with
the same human values, except in the sense that by nature animals are
morally and intellectually inferior to human beings, but this distinction is true
only as long as humans keep up their moral standard.

3. Harmonious Co-existence in Bio-diversity

Although biodiversity refers to the sum of biologically diverse organisms
living on earth, humans led by a misconception of their capabilities often
tend to overpower the other organisms. The threats of this misconception,
placing a big question mark on maintaining our existence, are not
imperceptible now. Therefore, utilizing human intelligence and capabilities to
maintain harmonious co-existence Buddhism would propose for saṁvāsa10 or
better said piyasaṁvāsa11 - a vinaya term used to refer to the harmonious
communal life. Saṁvāsa, literally meaning living together, denotes the
network of relationship in which we live. In this, the Buddha does not only
present a system in which we should generally interact but also outlines
some principles and disciplines to institute a harmonious existence. Saṁvāsa
is possible only if there is co-operation. It is impossible to sustain in a society
without co-operation. For our own harmonious sustenance much of our ego-
centric ideals have to be sacrificed. A clean community, in the contexts the
word saṁvāsa is used, is compared with an ocean where the force of water
thrives ashore all the dirt. Establishing intimacy or harmonious co-existence
with ingenuine or impure (evil-afflicted) person/forces is not possible.
Therefore, other members should take immediate steps to discard him out to
maintain peace within that community.12 This law of co-operation has
command even in bio- diversity.

10
saṁvāsa, formed as saṁ (together)+vāsa (living) literally means ‘living together’, also
means co-residence.
11
Added ‘piya’ to the above term to denote the favourable co-residence.
12
Cullavaggapāli (English translation) p 330; (Pāli) p.236-37 [Natthi te bhikkhūhi saddhiṃ
saṃvāso]
In establishing the necessity of a harmonious saṁvāsa more intelligibly I
present a short parable. Two fruit sellers, who have taken up this occupation
for existential needs, have the same ambition – to make a better profit. To
succeed in this aim they sacrifice much of their moral values. As a result, one
selling mango has to adapt artificial methods to ripen the fruits sooner. The
other one selling bananas too does the same; but, when he buys mangoes
and eats only then he realizes the absence of natural taste and blames the
seller. In this way, in the unrestraint desire of ‘profit-making’ and ingenuity
each of us lose the natural taste of fruits that we ought to enjoy, thus
harming interpersonal trusts. The same argument is applicable to establish a
sustainable co-existence in bio-diversity. One may cut a tree for various
necessities; but, admitting the fact that by his act a source to dissolve large
part of carbon-gas emitted from factories he should replant more trees.
Therefore saṁvāsa or harmonious co-existence claims not only for genuine
inter-personal relationships but also an honest interaction between human
and nature. This demands for restraint use of natural resources.

4. Conclusion
From the above enumeration of Pāli terms, ‘pakati’ and ‘sabhāva’, as also
used in other languages, are the direct equivalents for nature while the other
terms have similar application. In English, eco-system and biodiversity
explain the way various organisms live. But, when human beings claiming
superior to other organisms approach, it is not possible to maintain peace in
that system because of their dominating tendencies. Therefore, human
beings have more responsibilities for establishing peaceful co-existence with
nature and other fellow beings and preventing environmental pollutions.
saṁvāsa, although a vinaya term, conveys a sense of a system of living in a
community. This seems the best rendering from Buddhist literature to explain
the sustainable disciplines of co-existence.

References
1. Pali-English Dictionary, PTS, London 1925
2. Cullavaggapāli (both Pāli edition and English translation), PTS edition,
3. Ian Harris, Buddhism and Ecology, in ‘Contemporary Buddhist ethics’,
edited by Damien Keown. Curzon Press, 2000.
4. Lily de Silva, The Buddhist Attitude Towards Nature, pp.9-29 in Buddhist
Perspectives on the Ecocrisis, edited by Klas Sandell, The Wheel
Publication, BPS, Kandy, 1987