Caring for Nature

Human beings have enormous destructive power. They care little about society or the future, and are concerned only about their immediate personal benefit. Therefore, a considerable part of the Earth's resources have been destroyed, which in turn has affected the world economy. Should a torrential downpour occur where no effort has been made to conserve soil and water, there will be no trees to absorb the rain permeating the soil, and it is later released slowly like a river. The result is a flood disaster. When floods occur, many houses are destroyed, crops are submerged in water, and the global economy suffers. Recent floods in the United States have incurred losses totaling billions of dollars, and the U.S. has yet to completely recover from these disasters. This is all caused by humankind's destruction of the environment.

If every group, unit, and individual can act like our group and care lovingly for Mother Nature the way I teach you, then our world will be different. We may think that only communist or extremist countries wage wars that destroy our planet and jeopardize human lives. But in reality, they are not the only ones; even small groups, small units, or individuals can destroy the Earth. They do it bit by bit every day. This is chronic destruction. War causes one-time damage, and the aftereffects disappear in a few decades. When people realize that war brings no benefits, they call for a cease-fire and begin reconstruction and restoration efforts. However, the chronic destruction that goes on daily throughout the world is difficult to restore. It causes damage and creates risks that are no less than those caused by war.

I do not teach you these things because of money. For example, sometimes I teach you how to pick fruit, take care of trees, and spray unhealthy trees. Trees become sick sometimes. Worms grow inside and devour them, then the trees fall. Therefore, you must take care of the trees when you have time. Those who know how to do it should teach those who do not. Work together. Each one of you can tender a few trees. And when fruit grows, we can pick it.