IDCC- Forum of Asian / Pacific Youth Ecologists -
Inner Dimensions of Climate Change from DDM

From February 7th to 11th, the fourth “IDCC- Inner Dimensions of Climate Change- Asian / Pacific Youth Ecologists Forum” was held jointly by Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association (DDMBA), The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), and Earth Charter. The forum was held at the Asian headquarter of United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand and Sathira Dhammasathan.

Representative of Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, Vice Abbot Venerable, Guo Xiang, and Ven. Chang Ji assembled with nearly thirty Asian and Pacific youth ecologists and advocates. The purpose of this forum is to improve the living environment with positive thinking for adolescents, and moreover, to cultivate the introspection of inner dimensions supporting worldwide sustainable developments.

On February 7th, the opening ceremony, the representative of United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Dr. Stefanos Fotiou reviewed the main points regarding global environmental change, and called for the public to protect the resources from Earth and the whole environment with caution from daily living.

Ven. Chang Ji also provided reflections that among the goals of worldwide sustainable development promoted by United Nation are “Never abandon anyone” and inter-connectivity. Therefore, we have to create a culture of cooperation, instead of separation, and to connect everyone with the kindness of listening and communication. Upon connecting with each other, we could generate the collective wisdom.

At the following forum held at Sathira Dhammasathan, Ven. Guo Xiang shared the topic about “The effect to reverse climate change by spiritual environment with natural farming.” Ven. Chang Ji, who identified herself as one of the organizers, served as the role of hosting, guiding, communicating, and caring.

Ven. Phra Brahmpundit, the representative of Thailand’s environmental department and the principle of Chulalongkorn University pointed out that Thailand was aware of the environmental problems recently and then adopted measures to deal with them. Environmental protection should be one of the main developments of worldwide Buddhist Culture. Later, the assembly discussed the environmental influence, the current report on Asian environment from inner dimensions of spirit and thought, how to practice them in daily living, and moreover, influence the whole world.

Some participants said that they thought they were alone originally, however, they were aware that it was not so after participating in this forum. By the measures of meditation, they learnt that they could take everything slowly, and discuss the causes of the topic deeply, instead of taking rushed actions. Moreover, participants understand how to create a better world through the mind of compassion.

Texts / Reporter: Ven. Guo Xiang (果祥法師)
Translation: Frances Liu (劉珮如)
Editors: DDM Australian Editing Team