A Sri Lanka Japan Collaboration by Jonathan S. Watts September 28, 2025 A Holistic Buddhist Development Lineage For three days in early September 2025, the holistic Buddhist development world came full circle at a workshop entitled “Urban Dhamma in Action: Empowering Temples for Sustainable Community Development”, co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Network of Engaged Buddhists…
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September
Buddhism for SDGs by Linus Dolfini Bangkok, September 23, 2025 The Institute of Buddhist Management for Happiness and Peace Foundation (IBHAP) is an organization which connects Buddhist teachings to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uses these teachings to drive the implementation of the SDGs. IBHAP’s focus lies on collaborative action, and trying to…
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September
Is Ecology Inherent in Buddhism? by Leslie E. Sponsel and Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel University of Hawaii, September 1, 2025Buddha From birth to death the Buddha intimately interacted with nature, particularly trees. He was born beneath a Sal tree in a grove called Lumbini Park near Kapilavatsu (now Madeira) along the border between today’s India and Nepal. Around…
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August

Pragya Kalyaan Sangha is an ongoing grassroots initiative, which is located in Jaipur, India. It is based on the principles of engaged Buddhism. Its founder, Mr. Pragaya Mittra, has worked with various communities throughout the past 30 years, to share Buddhist teachings and promote education, empowerment, and social change.
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July

Promoting Alternative Livelyhood Models by Spreading Sustainability by Linus Dolfini Bangkok, July 17, 2025 Dr. Geetha is a member of our Eco-Temple network, who is based Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, in South India. In 2025, she began developing her own initiative to support women by introducing them to alternative sources of income. The goal is to…
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June
Transforming Education through Unschooling by Linus Dolfini Bangkok, June 17, 2025 Rajesh Choudhary – commonly called Raj – is a member of the eco-temple network, and he is currently involved in two different ongoing projects, which try to offer alternative educational approaches. One of these projects is conducted in Thailand, with its main center in…
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June
Interview with Rev. Hidehito Okochi August 1, 2024 This is an interview with Rev. Hidehito Okochi, the chief abbot of Juko-in and Kenju-in temples and founder of the Rita Citizen Asset Foundation, previously posted in Japanese on the Rita Foundation homepage. Rev. Okochi has been engaged in “supporting community/civil society activities by utilising the temple’s…
12
May

Farming with Metta
by Linus Dolfini
Bangkok, May 12, 2025
Over fifteen years ago, the Bhutan Soul Farmers, under the leadership of their founder, Lhundup Dukpa, began their work as organic farmers. They have been developing and implementing ways of organic and sustainable farming, and throughout the years, they have shared their knowledge and visions…
11
April

Creating Gardens of Loving Kindness
by Linus Dolfini
Bangkok, April 11, 2025
The concept of Metta Gardens was established in 2013 in Sri Lanka. One of the eco-temple network members, Kanchana Weerakoon, was the one who came up with the idea. She was inspired by the community-gardens, she saw in Australia. After her family bought…