Around the world, there are an estimated 37 million churches, 4 million mosques, 20,000 synagogues and hundreds of millions of temples. Experts say many of these houses of faith could become models of sustainability by practicing eco-friendly worship, embracing green buildings, and offering environmentally-friendly sermons. To help in that process, the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Faith for Earth Initiative has just published guidelines for congregations that want to go green. The standards are designed to support the work of religious leaders who are already preaching the value of environmentalism to followers.
We agree with faith leaders around the world that change starts at home, said Iyad Abumoghli, director of the Faith for Earth Initiative at UNEP. Our spiritual homes and sacred spaces are our houses of worship. All religions and spiritual traditions commit to live in harmony with nature, thus it is imperative that we practice what we preach.
With that in mind, here are four things congregations can do to help the environment.
- Incorporate Green Technology Into Their Place Of Worship
The building sector is responsible for 40 per cent of energy consumption and nearly 30 per cent of all energy-related greenhouse gases globally. Places of worship can be standard bearers for green building by planting trees on their grounds. They can also embrace renewable energy, like solar power, install water-efficient faucets, and use recycled gray water for plants. The Zhengjue Temple in Shandong Province, China uses solar panels to generate their entire need of energy and store excess.
- Include The Importance Of Sustainable Living In Regular Sermons
Places of worship can convey the importance of sustainable living in regular sermons through prayers, meditations or hymns, drawing inspiration from religious texts.
EcoMENA provides some tips for a Green Ramadan to Muslims, like reducing food waste, saving water while making ‘Wudu’, rejecting disposable cutlery and cycling to the mosque. While Longshan Temple in Taipei reduces the use of incense and finds more eco-friendly alternatives. Faith leaders can also organise congregations on special environmental days such as Earth Day, World Environment Day and World Car Free Day.
- Include Environmental Education In The Curriculum Of Religious-Affiliated Schools
Since Faiths are involved in over half of the world’s schools as founders, coordinators, funders and managers, they are perfectly placed to champion environmental sustainability in education by promoting religious values that enhance environmental conservation.
These can be done through storytelling, debates, games, dramas or the core curriculum. Some schools, known as eco-schools, adopt an approach where the environment in its totality is placed at the centre of teaching and learning, ensuring environmental concerns are part of the curriculum and day-to-day running of the school.
The St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, a Catholic mission school, is engaged in the Sandwatch Project by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which seeks to develop awareness of the fragile nature of the marine and coastal environment and the need to use it wisely.
- Ensure Your House Of Worship Purchases Sustainably Sourced Goods
Houses of worship can demonstrate sustainable living by leading through example and purchasing goods that are locally or sustainably sourced, fair-traded and eco-friendly, such as recycled paper, cleaning products, organically grown food. Faith leaders can also reduce the number of offerings at temples or ensure they are eco-friendly and not made of single-use plastics or other harmful materials.
The Mylapore Kapaleeshwarar Hindu Temple in India has transformed into a zero-plastic zone, with plastic bags banned not just inside the temple premises, but also in any of the surrounding shops. The items for offering, previously contained in polythene bags are now packed in reusable bamboo baskets.
Vastu For A Positive Home
- Vastu for the Main Entrance: Doorway
According to Vastu Shastra, the main entrance to a home is not only the entry point for the family, but also for energy. Considered as the archway to victory and progress in life, the main door should face north, east or in the north-east direction. It must be constructed in a way to ensure that when you step out, you face the north, east or north-east direction.
The main door to your home should be constructed with superior quality wood. It should tower above the other doors in your house, and look the most appealing. Avoid placing a fountain, or any other decorative water-centric element, outside the main door.
- Vastu For The Meditation Room: Spirituality
Designating a room in the house for meditation and prayers will ensure spiritual growth. It is always important for an individual to introspect and connect to a higher power, says Ddhannak. Here is how you can go about designating a meditation/spiritual room:
The east or north-east part of your home is perfect for meditation, yoga and other spiritual pursuits. Facing east when you meditate will increase positivity, Create a sacred altar and decorate it with candles or incense sticks White, beige, light yellow or green are great colour options for the room
- Vastu for the Living Room: Social
In a home, the living room is where most of the activity is centred. It creates a favourable (or unfavourable) first impression when guests enter for social gatherings. Therefore, ensure the living room is clutter-free. The living room should face east, north or north-east. Alternatively, a north-west-facing living room is also favourable.
Heavy furniture should be kept in the west or south-west direction of the living room. All electronics and appliances should be installed in the south-east section of the living room If there is a mirror in the room, ensure it is placed on the north wall.
- Vastu for the Courtyard: Cosmic Centre of the Home
Brahmasthan is a unique feature of ancient Indian architecture based on Vastu Shastra. It is the centre of your abode and is considered to be the holiest and most powerful zone of the house.
Here are a few tips to ensure the Brahmasthan radiates limitless energy:
This part of your home should be spotless and clutter-free. A circumference of 1 to 1.5 metres of the Brahmasthan should not have any obstructions or built-up area. The placement of the kitchen, bathroom or a pillar/beam attracts negative energy. This could have an adverse effect on the health of your family members.
- Vastu For The Bedroom: Balance
Sometimes, the smallest things can turn your fortunes around. Vastu Shastra shows you how tweaking your bedroom can enhance positive energy and even improve relations between couples.
Here are 5 tips to transform the energy ratios in your bedroom to help positively influence your sleep:
Ideally, the bedroom in a south-west direction brings good health and prosperity. Avoid a bedroom in the north-east or south-east zone of the house as the former may cause health issues, while a bedroom placed in the latter direction may cause quarrels among couples.The bed should be placed in the southwest corner of the bedroom, with your head facing west. Avoid placing a mirror or television in front of the bed. Your reflection must not be seen in a mirror when in bed as it causes fights and other domestic disruptions.
Paint your bedroom walls in neutral or earthy shades as it radiates positive energy. Avoid painting your walls black. Avoid having a temple, paintings depicting water or a fountain in the bedroom as it could cause emotional outbursts. Use mood lighting and burn aromatic oils to create an oasis of calm.
