Religion, Education, and Ecology in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Religion and Social Communication 20, no. 2 (2022)

Abstract

The foundation of Indian culture, which embraces all religions, is spirituality. The basic faith of India is Sanatan, which means that is eternal cannot be destroyed. Sanatana teaches the ultimate aim of human life is self-realization through four-fold means: Dharma (religion), Artha (finance), Kama (worldly pleasure), and Moksha (liberation). In Bharat, ‘vidyalaya’ was begun at religious foundation with enriched natural environment. This essay explores the relationship among religion, education, and environmental wellbeing from the perspective of the Hindu tradition. The author believes that the teachings found in the ancient scriptures of this tradition can greatly help to address the modern-day ecological crisis. However, to do so, religious education must lead to development of spirituality for human transformation. It is through spirituality that not only the problems of the environment, but other social problems can be adequately addressed.