Opportunity for Ecosattva Training

[Kokuu]

Dear Sangha

A number of us from the Ecodharma subforum are planning on taking the Ecosattva training with One Earth Sangha, starting in January 2024.

This is a training that combines the path of the bodhisattva in wishing to save all beings, and the path of environmental activism in the face of the current climate crisis and other environmental problems such as the massive loss of biodiversity due to human action and habitat loss. How do we as Buddhists approach these issues?

For the training we need to register both as a group, which will be associated with Treeleaf, and as individuals. It costs $150 per person, with a 25% discount for being part of a group (so $112.50 by my calculations).

The course lasts eight months and we will meet once a month as a group on Zoom for a 90 minute discussion of that month’s material (the course online can be read here: https://oneearthsangha.org/articles/...g-v5/#overview) and a meeting with members of One Earth Sangha and all current participants of the training held on the second Sunday of each month, 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern US Time.

I would like to cap the group at around 10-12 people otherwise discussions can become too difficult, and we already have six interested persons. If there is a lot of interest, different groups can also be created for discussion.

If this appeals to you, let me know below, and I will move forward with registering the group with One Earth Sangha. If you do join, it will be expected that you commit to the entire length of the training, barring unforeseen circumstances.

The group will be nominally led by myself and Doshin (I have a PhD in plant ecology and worked at an environmental science institute at the University of Zurich, and Doshin has spent his whole adult life working in conservation) but I see this as a gathering of equals who wish to embody their bodhisattva vow through engaged practice related to environmental issues.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[andysmitharng7]

Count me in.

Gassho,
Andy
Sat

[Kokuu]

That's great to hear, Andy! I will!

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Nengei]

I should like to participate.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

[Koushi]

I’d like to sponsor a person or two that’s interested if possible.

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

[Kokuu]

I should like to participate.

Wonderful!

I’d like to sponsor a person or two that’s interested if possible.

It totally is, and thank you so much for offering that, Koushi!


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday=

[Doshin]

I’d like to sponsor a person or two that’s interested if possible.

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

Doshin
St

[Onka]

I'd be interested in this if I can afford it at the time.
Gassho
Onka
STLAH

[JasonC]

Do you know if the live sessions with One Earth Sangha are recorded in case a session has to be missed? If so I am interested.

Gassho,

Jason

Stlah

[Doshin]

The training is self paced. As to whether the live sessions are recorded I don’t know. We will find that out. Also we as a group will meet periodically.

Doshin
St

[Kokuu]

I'd be interested in this if I can afford it at the time.

There may be ways to work with that.

Do you know if the live sessions with One Earth Sangha are recorded in case a session has to be missed? If so I am interested.

I can ask about that, Jason. Also, if everyone agrees we can potentially record our own meetings for anyone who cannot be there.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[WorkerB]

Kokuu, may i join please? I should also be able to contribute toward the cost for folks whose budget is more of a constraint. (As an old friend would say, ‘God willin’ and the creek don’t rise’,

Gassho

Thank you,
b.
st

[Doshin]

For those of you that are wanting to participate in the Ecosattva Training I suggest you review the postings of our first book by David Loy (EcoDharma) that our group read beginning in January 2022. The background would be a good preparation for our upcoming training. We also just completed a second book by Joan Macy on Active Hope that you may also want to peruse if you have the time. Both authors are central in EcoDharma.

I am looking forward to going through the training together and sharing what we learn with the rest of the Sangha.

Doshin
St

[Kokuu]

Kokuu, may i join please? I should also be able to contribute toward the cost for folks whose budget is more of a constraint. (As an old friend would say, ‘God willin’ and the creek don’t rise’,

Of course you may, B! And thank you for your openness to contributing to the cost or others. I will also check with One Earth Sangha whether they are concessions.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Bokusei]

This is beyond time and financial possibilities at the moment for me. However, as someone who has worked in nature conservation for over 20 years, this is very close to my heart. I hope it is an enriching experience for all who attend. Perhaps, it is repeated next year I may be able to join at that time.
Gassho EcoBodhisatvas
sTTday

[Kokuu]

I can understand that, Bokusei. Money we may be able to help with but, although Dogen observed that all time is right here, right now, we still only have 24 hours in each day.

Wonderful you are working in nature conservation. The Ecosattva training does repeat each year but I don't know if we will have more Treeleaf groups doing it. There are, however, opportunities to join with other groups.

Gassho
Kokuu
-just sat-

[Bokusei]

Thank you Kokuu. Will see what next year brings.

[Washin]

Thank you, Kokuu.

Since I have been involved in the tree-planting and sustaining project for the last 5 years
I would be very interested to join the course. Our local group of volunteers also participates
in various meetings and discussions regarding biodiversity and other green issues locally.

There are some points of my current concern though.

1. I am not sure if I will be able to afford the cost for the time being, but I will try to find a
solution.
2. In case there are blackouts similar to last winter it may happen I won't be available
for a monthly meeting at a certain time.

Gassho
Washin
stlah

[Doshin]

Washin,

It would be great to have you. Several people have offered to help others out financially as am I. This is something of value for our Sangha and those we live around every day.

Please join us.

Doshin
St

[andysmitharng7]

I would also like to put some coin into the sponsorship bucket.

Gassho,
Andy
sat/lah

[Washin]

Washin,

It would be great to have you. Several people have offered to help others out financially as am I. This is something of value for our Sangha and those we live around every day.

Please join us.

Doshin
St

Thank you, Doshin and all.

Gassho
Sat/lah

Sent from my SM-A325F using Tapatalk

[Kokuu]

Washin, I totally echo Doshin's sentiments that we would love to have you join us, and I think that not everyone will be able to attend all of the meetings anyway. With everyone's permission, we can record each session so at least they can be watched later.

And, yes, we will find ways to fund those who cannot afford the cost.

I would also like to put some coin into the sponsorship bucket.

Thank you, Andy, that is hugely appreciated. I hope to be able to add something too.


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Washin]

[Doshin]

Here is a list of those who asked to participate’

Washin
Kokuu
Andy
B
Jason
Onka
Nengei
Doshin
Ryokudo


Is this correct?

Doshin
St

[Kokuu]

Naiko?

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Dan65]

Certainly something I’m interested in, I currently work in a climate change related research, and volunteered a lot in the past. I have to say that it’s currently out of my budget however, so I’ll hold off for the time being. Perhaps next time.

Gassho

Sattday

Dan

[Ryokudo]

Hi everyone Ryokudo here, I would love to join this as I am looking at finding ways to get more engaged with both buddhist thought and eco-activism. I have done nothing for too long.

Obviously I need to sort my immediate joblessness out but I am knee deep in interviews so hopefully my personal situation will stabilise imminently. If so I'd be honoured to join the group, if there is space and you'll have me 😀

Gassho 🙏,

Ryokudo

SAT/LAH

[Kokuu]

Certainly something I’m interested in, I currently work in a climate change related research, and volunteered a lot in the past. I have to say that it’s currently out of my budget however, so I’ll hold off for the time being.

Hi Dan. That is really interesting you are involved in climate change related research. What does that involve? In the 90s I was part of a project looking at how elevated CO2 affected plant growth in the Jura mountains.

We may be able to help with the registration fee, and One Earth Sangha also state that they don't want to exclude anyone because of lack of funds.

Obviously I need to sort my immediate joblessness out but I am knee deep in interviews so hopefully my personal situation will stabilise imminently. If so I'd be honoured to join the group, if there is space and you'll have me ��

Please feel free to join, Ryokudo. I hope that the interviews bear fruit!


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

[Ryokudo]

Thx Kokuu, I'll keep you posted my friend 😀,

Gassho

Ryokudo

SAT/LAH

[Doshin]

Here is a list of those who asked to participate’

Washin
Kokuu
Andy
B
Jason
Onka
Nengei
Doshin
Ryokudo


Is this correct?

Doshin
St

Ryokudo I have added your name.

Dan, it would be good to have you join us. As Kokuu said, others in our Sangha have offered to assist those who need it and One Earth Sangha doesn’t want to exclude anyone because of financial challenges.

Doshin
St

[Dan65]

Hi Dan. That is really interesting you are involved in climate change related research. What does that involve? In the 90s I was part of a project looking at how elevated CO2 affected plant growth in the Jura mountains.

We may be able to help with the registration fee, and One Earth Sangha also state that they don't want to exclude anyone because of lack of funds.

Please feel free to join, Ryokudo. I hope that the interviews bear fruit!


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday-

Hi Kokuu,

My background is in soil/plant/atmosphere carbon cycle dynamics. Right now I'm using IPCC future climate data to model carbon cycles under grassland and bamboo under different future representative CO2 pathways (RCP's, climate change scenarios for those unfamiliar).

I've recently started my current job, so having moved to a new area I'm a bit short on ready money, but I'll review the dates and times of the ecosattva training and see if the times work out for me. I'm currently in Japan so it might involve late nights, but if I can fit in the schedule without breaking myself it's something I think worth doing.

Sattday

Dan

[Dan65]

Ryokudo I have added your name.

Dan, it would be good to have you join us. As Kokuu said, others in our Sangha have offered to assist those who need it and One Earth Sangha doesn’t want to exclude anyone because of financial challenges.

Doshin
St

Hi Doshin,

Thanks for the reply. I'm currently considering if attending is plausible. By my estimation the sessions will be from 0230 until 0300 in the mornings for me. It seems that live meetings are only once per month however, so depending on how the rest of the course is run, which I'll take a closer look at tonight when I get home, I might well be able to participate.

Gassho,

Sattday

Dan