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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 31

and culinary events. Every year, I have seen their gentle
and compassionate ways affect hundreds of people.
The blessing of their presence is felt by everyone, and
there remains a true sense of hope and peace wherever
they visit. I have hosted Dharma Talks where the monks
answer questions from curious participants…and often,
the bridge of cultures is fascinating. The way that the
monks choose to move through the world with respect,
joy and ease, has a lasting impact on the communities
they visit across the US.
Wheeler Bay, Maine, USA
What other activities do you organize to raise greater
population follow a vegetarian diet. Of course, awareness of Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism?
spreading awareness of the harm that raising animals
for human consumption is critical. Here in the US, Through my local sangha, I have helped to facilitate
I see a growing trend toward vegan and vegetarian study groups that focus on Buddhism in accessible
diets. Encouraging restaurants and grocery stores to and joyful ways. Sharing the wisdom of many
provide healthy alternatives to meat is so crucial, and teachers, including the participants, creates a circle
supporting local farms and markets by letting them of deep listening and compassionate conversation.
know how important their produce is. I am heartened I have helped to offer wisdom from books including
by inner-city community garden programs, and Discovering Joy (HH Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu),
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in Active Hope (Joanna Macy), You Belong (Sebene
communities like mine. I also think that if there was a Selassie), as well as works by Pema Chodron and Thich
louder cry for change, perhaps the huge corporations Nhat Hanh. In my work with youth programs, I always
that provide chicken and beef might be impacted. Food begin our time together with a mindfulness circle,
production, especially livestock, accounts for about a often outside. Tuning in to the world around us makes
quarter of total carbon emissions. This is one of the us love it and want to protect it! Children are eager
biggest challenges we face as we look to the future, and to explore and learn, and their innocence inspires a
raising awareness of the reality of what eating meat is new sense of urgency to shift the status quo, for their
doing to our planet is where to begin the shift. Raising future. I also love to share the deep value of meditation
healthy children on a vegetarian diet could shift our with women’s circles, which seemed especially
impact on climate disaster in one generation. important during the isolation of the pandemic.

I understand you were involved with the Sacred Arts What other environmental awareness projects are
Tour where Tibetan monks from Drepung Gomang you currently involved with now?
Monastery were invited to perform in the US. What’s
the objective of this program? I am currently opening Symmetree with my son, in

Camden, Maine, where the focus is environmentally
The Sacred Arts Tour travels throughout the USA to sustainable products. It is a shop that provides ‘Provisions
spread awareness of Tibetan culture. I have been thrilled for the Conscious Explorer.’ With every product sold, I
to welcome groups in both Florida and Maine, where work with Eden Reforestation project to plant 8 trees.
they created a sand mandala over the course of week on Finding a way to offset our carbon footprint, and waking
each annual visit (pre-Covid!). During their time with up to the reality of how our actions impact the planet, is
us, I introduced them to the community in elementary something that I will invite people to think about every
schools, elder facilities, churches and arts venues as day. I have set up a meditation studio in this beautiful
they performed traditional Tibetan pageants, fire pujas space, and invite the community to spend time there