Wisdom Working for the Earth Forum - Buddhist and Environmental Wisdom Joining Forces

April 13, 2022Carla Ott

A seed has been growing

For several years the wish to bring together Buddhist and Environmental wisdom has been germinating in a number of nature lovers across the Rigpa Sangha. As it became increasingly obvious that the world is in a climate emergency, the motivation became stronger and stronger to reflect on and share tools that help to address this emergency from a place of compassion and wisdom. Last year, this seed finally met with conducive circumstances - a dedicated group of people, the support of Lerab Ling and key people, and the synergy with a similar initiative by Rigpe Shyönnu. Nourished by these conditions, the seed began to grow into the concrete idea of organising a series of forums on Buddhism and Environmental Action in Lerab Ling with the title Wisdom Working for the Earth (Sagesse Pour la Terre in French).

The vision of this series of forums

This series of annual forums aims to encourage Buddhist traditions and environmental movements to join forces, share expertise and practices, and support each other in protecting the health of this earth and of all beings who depend on it. In particular, these forums provide the occasion for people from all walks of life to come together and learn practical tools and wisdom from a rich menu of environmental and Buddhist experts to become stewards of change within and around themselves.

Who made this sprout grow into a tree?

This sprout of an idea was first cared for by Lerab Ling’s environmental committee and a group of Shyönnus and then grew into a strong seedling under the protection and support of a passionate core team, guiding advisors and magical helpers. This net of Ecosattvas spans across the entire sangha - uniting several generations, origins and backgrounds: Sharina Reggiany as the project coordinator, Annette Lorberg-Beckett, Astrid Hubert, Amalée Rycroft and Carla Ott in the core organising team, Michèlle Garreau overseeing the project and budget, Cordula Wilhelm for the visual identity, Jade Matton as the social media manager, Clara Mure as the press officer, Eva Rycroft and Leander Beckett as the video team, Pierre Emmanuel Reviron as the communications advisor, Frédéric Bétous, Mylene Ghiglione and Sebastièn Reggiany as program advisors, Héloise Ortola for logistic help, Paula Macri and Nicholas Schramm for web design and communications and many more from different Lerab Ling teams.

Now, through the nourishing dedication of the entire net of supporters, this project has become a large tree that soon will give its first fruits - when the forum actually takes place on the Pentecost weekend from the 4th to 6th of June in Lerab Ling.

What will this first forum look like?

This first edition explores the theme of interdependence - a fundamental concept in both ecological thinking and Buddhist philosophy. Experts and practitioners from a variety of environmental and Buddhist disciplines will share their perspectives of interdependence and its implications, guide deeper reflections on this topic and provide specific tools on how to act in harmony with interdependence. The rich program consists of plenary talks, round table discussions, practical workshops, meditation sessions, a fair of local associations and even an artistic evening.

Confirmed Speakers and Workshop Holders are:

A special focus of this first forum is to connect with the richness of local environmental interest and initiatives that can be found in the surroundings of Lerab Ling. Therefore, the main language of the live event will be French with a few talks given in English. So to all French-speakers, come in numbers and spread the word!

If you don’t speak French, don’t despair!

Those who do not understand French, don’t despair - you can still come to the forum, enjoy the inspiring vibe and join the English talks (given by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, the former Prime Minister of Bhutan and advocate of Gross National Happiness Jigmi Y. Thinley and the environmental activist Helena Norberg-Hodge). After the forum, you will find all plenary talks translated (at least) into English on Prajna.

And this tree will continue to grow…

David Loy, teacher in the Sanbo Zen tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism, professor and author

To ensure a continuity between this year’s and the next forum there will be a regular programme of philosophical and practical reflections on the subject of Ecology and Buddhism. For example, in mid-June David Loy, a teacher in the Sanbo Zen tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism, professor and author of Ecodharma: Buddhist teachings for the Ecological Crisis will be the guest of Prajna’s monthly Dharma talks. There will also be thematic days on the site of Lerab Ling in collaboration with local associations (for example, a day on permaculture or forest management).

We hope that these initiatives will inspire the wider Rigpa Sangha and Buddhist community to affirm their role in protecting and regenerating the planet! May they inspire each of us to connect to the force of transformation in ourselves and thereby influence society to help to restore to our world the living notions of interrelatedness, respect, hope and meaning that it so desperately lacks.