WASHINGTON — Hyperawareness of one’s surroundings – it’s a fundamental value that influences how Buddhists live their lives every day. Across the country, an increasing number of Buddhists say this precept, called mindfulness, is influencing how they look at the need to take care of the earth, and reduce the problems associated with climate change.
Books on the subject have been written by believers from Ireland to Vermont. Local Washington Buddhists acknowledge that their end goal would be to impact climate change legislation, but for now, they’re trying to encourage more local practitioners to join with them, so they’re starting with their personal choices.
One such group is the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship, founded during the Vietnam War. Its’ main goal was to promote peace in a peaceful way, holding educational events and walking monthly around the White House. But in the past year, they’ve shifted their focus to discuss the ability of individuals to affect climate change. Interact with the graphic below to learn more about the motivations of various members, and what they’re doing in their lives to make a difference.