Beyond environmental science: Climate action in Hindu religion and Sant Mat tradition

Abstract

AbstractThis paper explores Hindu religious concepts in their broadest form in general, and the philosophy and teachings ofRadha Soami Satsang Beas(a religious sect with its headquarters in Punjab, India) in particular, to access whether and in what ways the Indic spiritual value system is dovetailed with ecological ethics to make a case for climate action. Considering the influence of this sect in India and the size of its faith community, its role in propagating ecological ethics through the notion of karma, practice of vegetarianism, and service are examined here. The paper concludes that although the philosophical teachings ofRadha Soami Satsang Beaslike living a lighter life by practising vegetarianism and service do have great ecological values, the ethnographic account of theRadha Soami Satsang Beasshows that the devotees do not show any proclivity toward climate action due to the lack of direct teaching by theirguruon the subject and therefore do not establish any relation between philosophical underpinnings of the sect and ecological stewardship. Nevertheless, the ecological sensibilities of this community are more aligned with their spiritual goal and are reflected in their behaviour.