In 1985, Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammananda embarked on a pioneering project—Buddhist Perspectives on Nature. Despite initial setbacks, this endeavor illuminated the rich ecological teachings embedded in Buddhist texts.

Drawing from these teachings, particularly emphasizing reverence for nature in forest-dwelling monks, Venerable Dhammananda established a temple dedicated to putting these principles into practice. Starting with plastic and paper recycling, the temple initiated a comprehensive waste management and recycling program.

Venerable Dhammananda's hands-on approach extended to creative endeavors like weaving rag rugs from recycled materials. Her goal was to instill a sense of possibility and urgency in her community. Recycling, she asserted, is not only feasible but an imperative response to environmental challenges.

Her teachings echo an incident from the Buddha's time recounted by Venerable Ananda. The tale illustrates the concept of recycling, where robes worn by monks were repurposed until they became unusable, emphasizing an early commitment to conservation.

In the face of modern challenges like climate change, Venerable Dhammananda advocates for collective responsibility. She encourages each temple to embrace recycling practices, envisioning a network of mindful communities contributing to the global effort to combat environmental degradation. In her words, the least one can do is to initiate the crucial step of recycling, contributing to the broader mission of reducing global warming.
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