After four weeks (in the Outback), we’ve reached Cooper Pedy and I never thought I’d be so happy to see civilization in my life! Although it’s a stretch to call this civilization…everything is so run down and dusty, but it’s cool how the buildings are 3/4th buried. We got out of the Jeep and bought fresh bottles of water at a corner store – nearly $5.00 for a liter! – but never has anything tasted so good! We were standing outside laughing as we drank, and for some reason, I splashed some of my water at Mike. This woman walked out of the store just as I did so, with a little boy holding her hand, and she looked at me horrified, shouting “What are you doing? That’s precious drinking water!” I mean, after four weeks of living on three liters of water a day per person I know damn well how precious drinking water, especially ice-cold, fresh, unboiled and unsterilized water is, but sheesh! To get all bent out of shape over a small splash! I think that was over the top for her… but still… somehow, I feel, um, I don’t know… ashamed.
Personal Diary Entry, December 2, 1993[1]
Australians, especially Aboriginal Australians, understand the significance of water in a way the average American may never know. Their understanding of water’s importance to life, much less the frailty of the earth’s still-abundant water supply, along with their attitude of preciousness towards water is distinctly Buddhist, although it is unlikely they would ever claim it as a Buddhist viewpoint. More likely, Australians would say they are simply being smart and pragmatic. From ultra-low-flow toilets to grey-water recycling, Australians use technology in simple and ingenious ways to best use and preserve their limited water supply. While their reasoning may be simple survival, their attitude and outlook towards water is not only distinctly Buddhist, it is one that should be emulated by Americans, if not all of the world.
