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
Upcoming events
Meditate, Recharge, Clean
Postponed to October - date will be announced.
Meet at the Naga in Golden Gate Park at JFK Promenade/Rainbow Falls. For those who are feeling industrious, arrive at 11AM to help clean up the park — we will provide trash bags and gloves. (Bring your own trash picker if you prefer that!) You are also welcome to arrive at noon for meditation, and for a bit of a recharge in nature to connect with others in the beautiful outdoors.
We will meet at the Naga but will likely move somewhere close by to meditate and have lunch, since there is nowhere to sit right by the sculpture. Bring what you need to sit comfortably, as well as your own lunch. We challenge you to leave devices at home or turn them off when you arrive. We also challenge you to avoid bringing any single-use plastics!
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
Green Sangha Anniversary Gathering
Septembe 22, 2024: Celebrate 5 Years of Mindful Action with SFBC Green Sangha and envision our direction in the future.
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.
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
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
A Buddhist approach to the climate and ecological crises - a Benefit for Karuna-USA
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
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