The 21st United Nations conference on climate change starts on Monday, and Buddhists around the world are busy working to raise awareness. Most recently, the Global Buddhist Climate Change Collective, One Earth Sangha, and Plum Village jointly released a prayer for climate change so political leaders “may have the courage, clarity, and compassion to come to a wise and responsible agreement.” The prayer includes five suggested actions for community members: joining a march, fasting from meat and dairy, wearing a green ribbon, getting together, and making a commitment.
Earlier this month, activists hosted 24 hours of meditation for the earth, and last month 15 Buddhist leaders, including the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Karmapa issued a Buddhist Climate Change Statement to world leaders. One Earth Sangha has issued a Buddhist declaration on climate change, the Dalai Lama has personally called for action on climate change, and in May Bhikkhu Bodhi gave a talk on “The Four Noble Truths of the Climate Crisis” at the White House.
For more on the environment, read some of our insightful teachings and articles: “Earth Gathas,” “Wake Up to the Revolution,” and “The World We Have” by Thich Nhat Hanh; “Can Buddhism Save the Planet,” by David Loy and John Stanley; and “The Joy of Living Green,” by Barry Boyce. Also look for David Loy’s “Can We Awaken to the Ecological Crisis?” in the Winter issue of Buddhadharma.
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