I have recently read ‘Sacred Nature: How we can recover our bond with the natural world’ by Karen Armstrong (Bodley Head 2022).  She includes quotes and teachings from religions and philosophies that highlight our interdependence with the natural world.  Here are some insights from China.

The golden rule is found in all religions in some form.  Jesus said ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you.’  Confucius first promulgated it as ‘Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire’ in the 6^th century BCE.  The Chinese view was that human beings together with all the myriad things of nature (the wanwu) formed one body with the universe, and people were not seen as distinct or superior, a view that science is now endorsing.  So the Chinese philosopher Mencius (3^rd century BCE) insisted that the golden rule applies not only to us but to all aspects of nature as we are inextricably connected; we share the same vital force.  Such a simple but effective way of enhancing our relationship with the natural world.

And Zhang Zai (11^th century CE) from the Western Inscription:

Heaven is my father and Earth is my mother
and even such a small creature as I
finds an intimate place in their midst.

Therefore that which fills the universe
I regard as my body
and that which directs the universe
I regard as my nature.

All people are my brothers and sisters,
and all the things in nature are my companions.