Is Other Planet a Better Home for Men?

 By K.S Chow

Introduction

Before renowned physicist Stephen Hawking was launched through a zero gravity jet into the weighless space to experience a zero-gravity, this highly celebrated Physicist of our modern world commented on the potential grave adversities of living on Earth thus:

I think life on Earth is at an increased risk of being wiped out
by disasters, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war or
genetically engineered virus or other dangers. I think the
human race has no future if it does not go into space. 

The utterance of this eminent modern scientist captivated my interest and instantaneously evoked my reminiscence of those bitter, disgusted disasters which struck, injured and destroyed lives of thousands of unfortunate victims in the recent past. The negative effects of global warming resulted from the green -house effect of the carbon dioxide concentration has caused climatic change. The climatic change in turn has led to changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as sudden floods, cyclones and hurricanes.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks during World War II against Japan by the United States of America in August, 1945.The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed and thousands of victims were either injured or killed. The whole world learned from the devastation power of the nuclear attacks.

SARS

The outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in November, 2002 originated from the provincial capital of Guangzhou, southern China. Owing to the highly mobile and interconnected world, SARS soon was transmitted to many parts of China and throughout the world. SARS arose mysteriously and vanished also mysteriously. The international unity of medical experts from all over the world successfully combated SARS eventually after many lives were lost.

Bird Flu

Following SARS, the whole world was again struck with a far more deadly disease called Bird Flu (Avian Influenza). The outbreak of Bird Flu in Asia had depleted enormously the finiancial wealth of the farmers as well as those of governments who were compelled to destroy the chickens, birds and other livestock and compensated for the losses of the victims. According to World Health Organization, 8,000 victims were infested and 800 died world-wide.The threat of Bird flu continues hitherto.

Computer Virus

In the world of computer information system, any newly emerged computer virus not detected earlier could possibly wipe out the communication system of the entire world in seconds if it emerged without prior warning. The sudden emergence of a new computer virus in the modern computer defence system might fire the long range continental missiles uncontrollably at the enemy targets without prior order from the President or Prime Minister of the country concerned. Technical error of unwarranted release of missiles at enemies targets is not impossible. There is no assurance of zero defect in any defence or attack system. The virus does not recognize the President or Prime Minister of its own country or nation.

Tsunami

In December, 26, 2004, Massive earthquake in Indian Ocean triggered tsunami and caused deaths of thousands of victims in Asia. The United Nations reported that 229,866 people lost, including 186,983 dead and 42,883 missing. It was one of the deadliest disaster in modern history. Those countries, which were not affected, could extend emergency and humanitarian aids to those countries affected. Let’s assume that the entire Earth was struck by tsunami disaster, then who are going to render emergency and humanitarian aids to those affected victims.

Rising Sea Level

Another disturbing phenomenon caused by global warming is annual increase of sea level. The increase in sea level year by year is due to incessant dissolution of icebergs. The increase in sea level will, one day, flood the entire costal areas of every low-lying parts of the world. It is anticipated by environment experts that sea level rises from 110 m.m to 770 m.m. (0.36 to 2.5 feet) between 1990 and 2100.

Solution or Non-solution

Owing to the insecurity and tragedies of terrestrial dwelling, Stephen Hawking encouraged human race to migrate to other Planet. Is migration from the Earth to another Planet really a satisfactory solution to human predicament living on Earth? Śākyamuni Buddha would respond with a categorical ‘No’ to this question. Other religious masters would also support the position of Gotama Buddha. Though we disagree with Stephen hawking, we respect his diagnosis of the ills or afflictions of the Mother Earth and his immense contributions in the the scientific field of Physics, Cosmology and Ontology. We undoubtedly appreciate profusely his timely reminder of the constant threats posed by growing environmental problems which afflict the Mother Earth and the living things on it.

Kamma and Rebith

The Buddhist cosmos categorizes the universe into three realms of existence, namely, the world of sense-sphere plane, the world of fine material-sphere plane and the world of the immaterial-sphere plane. These three categories Buddhist cosmos can be simplified into six realms of existence, namely Devas, Human beings, Asuras, Hungry ghosts, Animals and Hell beings. Devas and Human beings are categorized as the favourable planes of existence and the other four planes of Asuras, Hungry ghosts, Animals and Hell beings are woeful planes of existence. Those, who have performed wholesome kammas, are reborn in the corresponding favourable planes of existence ; those who are evil are reborn in the corresponding woeful states of existence.

Frankly, Stephen Hawking’ brief comment on the adversity of Earth’s environment is not really negative nor pessimistic but it actually mirrors the truth or the potential dangers which really threaten human survival on Earth. Before the human race is annihilated by those disasters or calamities aforementioned, the most secure solution seems to be migration to the other Planet. Let’s assume that a migrant has paid the US$3,750 for a passenger ticket to travel to the planet by a zero-gravity jet. Having arrived there, he settles down there as a permanent citizen there together with other migrants from the United States of America. Assuming that all these new migrants are not so religious and are highly materialistic individuals who glorify the life of sensual pleasures and worship materialism. They are still defiled with cankers of greed, hatred and delusion. Will there be any assurance that the Planet of our future home will be a world of harmony, peace and stability without any defilement with the presence of this group of new settlers? As the Planet is expected to be equipped with an ultra-modern living environment, such as high level computer softwares and hardwares, what would occur on the Planet when these new Planet residents have created new strains of viruses because of their greed, hatred and delusion transmitted from their previous mother Earth or previous lives in some other planes of existence? When these viruses emerge to destroy their Planet, they might conceive the notion that it may be more secure to make a return journey to Earth which is not so complicated technologically. If one of them chooses to stay on and when he dies on the planet after old age and decay, his kammic force will dictate that he should be reborn on Earth. Consequently, he is returned to Earth again. What determines the destination of rebirth is not the zero-gravity jet but one’s own kammic force. As we are not certain whether the Planet to which we desire to migrate is blissful or otherwise, it is far more secure and pragmatic to aspire for a rebirth in heaven which insures blissful living. The Mahāyānists would recommend the rebirth in Pure Land of Amitābha. To migrate to this blissful heaven, one is not required to pay the passenger fare of US$ 3,750 and other expenses, such as Permanent Resident’s Visa and others but one is merely required to practise the ten wholesome courses of actions (Dasasīlas) while one is dwelling on Earth. An ethical behaviour based on these ten courses of wholesome actions insures rebirth in heaven. The Pure Land practitioner is required to recite the name of Amitābha habitually at all times in all places supported by proper cultivationor practice in order to secure a permanent visa to migrate to the Pure Land.Either the heaven or the Pure Land is undoubtedly much more pleasant and blissful than the uncertain Planet which will have to be reconstructed for more conducive human living. Religions can save our mother Earth. Migration to other planets is only a temporary solution.