Green Sangha

The SFBC Green Sangha is a group of Core Sangha members who meet monthly to discuss climate action and Buddhism. We host occasional events that are open to the public. Our Mission, Vision, and Values are a work in progress.

Mission

Within the context of Buddhist values and teachings, we aim to create a space for the San Francisco Buddhist Center sangha to creatively engage with others around climate change and environmental justice.

Vision

The contribution of Dharmic perspectives and ethical action to the collective response to climate change
The cultivation of awareness of the interplay between institutionalized social injustice and climate change
The flowering of wisdom and compassion to help create and maintain a healthy, diverse, clean and cool planet.
As appropriate, create support for the San Francisco Buddhist Center sangha’s move toward maintaining sustainable facilities, and sustainable practices at home and on retreat

Values

Our values are based on the Buddha’s teachings, and include
- The five precepts
- The four noble truths
- The noble eight-fold path
- Loving-kindness

Green Sangha members meditating in front of Chase Bank to protest funding of the Line 3 pipeline. March 2021.

Meditation at Lake Merritt for Earth Week Gathering Oakland, Sponsored by Extinction Rebellion and 350 Bay Area

Article

What if we got it right?

Past events

Climate Week Meditation

April 27, 2025, 2pm to 4pm, Dolores Park

This year we continue working against the backdrop of ongoing wars and a warming planet, with a new administration that is actively hostile toward efforts to address the climate crisis. What do you do when you feel your heart will break against the willful ignorance manifest in global and national politics, and the suffering brought about by the climate crisis and other overwhelming challenges? Does our effort even matter? Can we effectively combat paralysis in ourselves and those around us?

Green Tara Puja

Jan 17, 2025

Members of the San Francisco Buddhist Center Green Sangha will hold a puja in our shrine room, invoking fearlessness and compassion with a Green Tara puja followed by time for silent meditation and contemplation. All are warmly invited.

With thanks for your consideration and support, and in abiding solidarity as we move into a new moment in history.

The Climate Crisis and the Six Paramitas

November 2024: Triratna Earth Sangha: Responding to the cries of a burning world

How do we move beyond hope and fear with the Six Paramitas as a guide? A weekend of talks, workshops and practice exploring how we as Buddhists can respond to the climate and ecological emergencies.

Speakers: David Loy: davidloy.org. Jem Bendell: jembendell.com. Paul Hoggett (co-founding chair, Climate Psychology Alliance). Rodashruti and Danamaya (SF Green Sangha). Tejopala (Australian Religious Response to Climate Change ARRCC). Maitridevi (Chair of Taraloka retreat centre). Dhivan. Sanghasiha (LBC Deep Ecology Group). Joe Mishan and Andy Wistreich (XR Buddhists)

Meditation with the Earth and All Beings

Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024

This is a great way to take your cushion into the world, deepen your intentions, express your love and concern for the Earth and those that live here, commune with nature and meditate with friends. You can also think of it as a transference of merit. We hope you’ll join us.

Election Anxiety? Meditate with the Green Sangha

An opportunity to check in and meditate together. The acute uncertainty that comes with electoral politics can reveal what the Dharma has to offer. Meditation and sangha can help ground us so we can see more clearly and have a better foundation for action. No matter what happens in the election, groundedness and clarity will help us on our path.This will be a non-partisan space and not related to endorsing or advocating for any party or candidate.

Green Sangha Anniversary Gathering

Septembe 22, 2024: Celebrate 5 Years of Mindful Action with SFBC Green Sangha and envision our direction in the future.

For five years, we’ve embraced mindful practices to foster positive change. Our journey has included pujas, outdoor meditations, organized protests, and fundraising for climate projects in South Asia. Now, it’s time to come together and envision our next steps.

On Sunday, September 22, from 1pm to 4pm, we invite you to join us in a sacred space of reflection and planning. All order members and mitras are welcome, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the Green Sangha. No prior experience is needed—just an open heart and a desire to contribute to climate action.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share your insights, and help shape our future direction. Your presence and voice are invaluable.

Turning toward Climate in Times of War and Peace

April 27, 2024: Collectively, we are facing many critical issues, including horrific violence across the globe and at home. This is happening alongside much that is positive and beautiful, which can create a sense of dissonance or distraction. In the midst of all of this, the climate crisis continues. It can be quite easy to fall into horrified anxiety or just check out. How do we hold it all? Can we? What are skillful responses? There will be space to share what’s difficult and what is helpful in our practice. Please bring what you need to sit outside. Meet at 20th & Dolores. Rain cancels. Please register on the Climate Week Calendar so we have a sense of how many people are coming.

Film Festival! Saving Mother Earth and Her Beings, One Acre at a Time

June to September 2023

In honor of Buddhist Action Month, please join us for the opening night of our Film Festival! We are raising funds for Karuna-USA to help reduce the suffering of many thousands of beings. One hundred percent of funds raised will go to Karuna USA’s climate change projects in three countries: India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

We have four inspiring, highly rated and fascinating films on the theme of climate justice and recovery and adaptation efforts happening now.

Pad Yatra The Biggest Little Farm Writing with Fire Inhabitants

Online International Urban Retreat

Using the medicine of the Four Reminders, we open to a new Reality

1-5 June 2023

Led by members of the Triratna Earth Sangha, including Shantigarbha, Amaragita, Sarvajit, and Buddhasevaka.

We’re really looking forward to this retreat and exploring how the Dharma can support us in relation to the Climate and Ecological Crises. As Buddhists we have something unique to offer the world in this area.

This retreat is part of Buddhist Action Month 2023, and in fulfilment of the European Chairs Assembly’s strategic priority of ‘Dharmic engagement with social and ecological issues’, which is now also a Triratna International Council priority.

The retreat begins a 30-day habit challenge, which extends throughout June. More details when you register.

Triratna Earth Sangha Benefit

Fear, Grief and Faith:
A Buddhist approach to the climate and ecological crises – a Benefit for Karuna-USA

Sunday, January 22, 2023, 2pm – 5pm, in person, – to watch and discuss highlights from the Triratna Earth Sangha conference at the end of last year.

The climate crisis is a difficult and often scary topic to engage with. Even so, we can move beyond both the darkness of doomism and a superficially cheerful denial by transcending our habitual responses, such as fear and hope. We can learn about the application of our Buddhist practice to help manage our reaction and develop ways to cope.

This event is a benefit for Karuna USA (https://www.karuna-usa.org/our-purpose) in support of a flood mitigation project in India through Pragya (www.pragya.org). The goal of this project is to help people recognize flood danger, train women to grow crops that will thrive in flood prone areas, and teach children about climate change.

The Earth is our Witness

Buddhist Action Month, June 2022