Caring for the Environment
“This earth is like a grain of sand in the vastness of the cosmos, but it is our only home and we have nowhere else to go. … We have to work together to preserve and protect it.” H.H. 17th Karmapa
The Karmapa is passionate about protecting the planet’s natural resources and is actively trying to encourage others to care for the environment too. Examples of the Karmapa’s recent activities related to the environment include:
Booklet of Environmental Guidelines
In February 2008, the Karmapa wrote a booklet of environmental guidelines, which was distributed to Kagyu monasteries and centres. This booklet has been made available in English, Tibetan, and Chinese, and has been translated into Hindi and Nepali. The booklet can be downloaded in pdf format here.
Two Major conferences on the Environment
In 2009, the Karmapa convened two conferences on environmental protection for Kagyu monasteries and nunneries. The outcome of these conferences was a Kagyu-wide movement to put environmental protection into action by planting trees, protecting wild life, conserving water, organising waste management, and changing where possible to renewable energy sources.
108 Things to Do
In March 2009, the Karmapa produced a booklet entitled ‘108 Things You Can Do to Help the Environment’.
Environmental website launched in Tibetan and English
In 2010, the Karmapa launched an environmental website www.khoryug.com
Tiger Protection
In February 2010, the Karmapa gave a statement about tiger protection, as part of welcoming in the New Tibetan Year of the Iron Tiger.
“Whatever it is that I do, I want it to have a long-term visible impact and for it to be practical. If I have the opportunity I would most like to restore the natural environment of the Himalayas and Tibet, and especially to protect the forests, the water and wildlife of this region.”
