Respecting the Earth, suggestions of H.H. Karmapa
April 22, 2016
TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE…
- Make aspiration prayers. We make aspiration prayers for all sentient beings. This should also include the Earth, which sustains us and gives us life.
- Read, discuss, and develop an understanding of environmental issues and how they affect you and your community.
- Go vegetarian. Not only will you practice compassion for all sentient beings, but you will decrease the resources you use up.
- Live simply without unnecessary possessions.
- Educate people on environmental values. illustrate harmony between people and nature.
- Don’t litter. Collect your own trash and dispose of it properly.
- Use less paper. A lot of trees are cut down simply to produce paper. Even a small choice such as printing on both sides of the paper makes a big difference.
- Use less plastic. We use plastic bags for a few hours, sometimes for only a few minutes. However, it takes over 500 years for plastic to completely degrade in a landfill.
- When making offerings, make healthy choices. Buy fruit rather than sweets, or plants rather than cut flowers.
- Turn the switch off. If you see that a light or an electrical device is switched on but no one is using it, turn it off.
Submitted by Joan Keagy