041-Insect Mortality - Buddhism in daily life

When I remember my youth, there used to be significantly more
insects. More bees, more mosquitoes, more beetles, there was more
of everything. A mindful approach to all living things requires
that we also consider insects to be fully-fledged living beings,
and that we protect them (if at all possible).


Insects are by far the most diverse animals, there are an
incredible number of species. Some are beautiful and useful,
others aggressive and annoying, in any case, the little animals
are incredibly important for the entire ecosystem. They eat
carrion and organic matter, they plow the soil, they are the food
for the birds, they are almost at the top of the food chain. If
insects are not doing well, then all animals are not doing well;
insect mortality is progressing, the effects for us humans are
felt everywhere, the little crawlers are extremely important for
us humans. Almost all plant species need insects for pollination
(e.g. apple trees), no insects, no fruits, the ecosystems will
collapse. Yet still the majority of the population knows little
to nothing about insect mortality.


In the last thirty years, the so-called biomass of flying insects
has decreased by about eighty percent. These are alarming
numbers, we are producing the next catastrophe for ourselves, and
no one cares.


In our loveless concrete castles of the cities there is hardly
any space left for insects, the monocultures on the fields are
destroying the natural livelihood of the animals, we humans are
approaching the issue without understanding. What we have to do
is to offer the animals an environment, consciously create
shelter and nesting places, do not remove the foliage properly,
build a stone sculpture for them, just as we hang a birdhouse for
birds, so also think of the insects.


It is also important that we feed ourselves regionally and with
food produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and
fertilizers, preferably from the local farmer, from a part of
that community, not from a faceless factory. This is how most
organic farmers ensure that there is enough space for insects as
well. Also important is to eat seasonally, what is Mother Nature
offering in my region right now, without importing from Israel,
Morocco or the other side of the world.


And what do you do if a fly sits on your apple pie in your
apartment? Do you want to kill it, or do you take the time to
bring "the beast" outside? How do you behave towards living
creatures described as worthy of protection by the teacher of all
teachers?


Do you live (mainly) vegetarian, do you protect the animals? If
you buy meat then hopefully such, which is produced without mass
animal husbandry?


Without insects we humans have soon nothing more to eat.


The way is the goal!





Looking at life in depth, it is possible to see clearly
everything that is. Enslaved by nothing, it is possible to let go
of all desires. The result is a life full of joy and peace. That
is to live truly alone


- Buddha - honorary name of the Indian philosopher Siddhartha
Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero





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