"Esho funi" is a Buddhist concept that translates to the "oneness of life and its environment". It means that a person's life and their surroundings are not separate but are deeply interconnected and inseparable. The phrase combines shoho (life or living being), eho (environment), and funi (not two), indicating that while they may seem like two distinct things, they are one and the same in essence. Key aspects of esho funi:
- Interdependence: A person's inner life state—their thoughts, emotions, and karma—is reflected in their external environment, and vice versa. For example, an individual's mood can change how they perceive their surroundings.
- Cause and effect: The principle suggests that changing one's inner state of life will ultimately lead to a change in one's environment. The environment can be transformed by changing oneself.
- Practical application: This principle is used to encourage personal growth and transformation, such as by changing one's attitude to improve one's relationships or circumstances. It implies that to change a difficult situation, one must first change their own inner life condition.