Notes from a PS Buddhist Eco Practice Meeting
20/7/03 Buddhafield 2003

Present:

Lokabandhu (Buddhafield)
Akuppa, (Newcastle)
Zee-Zee, Sarah (London)
Arthacarya (North London/ESA group)
Dharmapaksin (Bristol)
Helen, Laura (Leeds)
Elayne (Colchester)
Fionna (Manchester)
James Corre (Oxford/NEB),
Phil Henry (Nottingham/NEB),
Saul Deeson (North London/NEB),
Chris (Bristol/NEB)
Andy (Northamptonshire)
Jo (Leamington)

jo@homeless-international.org; dharmapakshin@blueyonder.co.uk; chrispripley@hotmail.com; pm.henry@btopenworld.com;

FUTURE OF P.S…
Where to go now? - Lokabandhu no longer easily able to catalyse, administer - too involved in other things, less access to office facilities. LB: there are no present (human) resources for PS to act nationally. He is stepping back.
AK, DP: best to see existing things through eg carbon-Q reminders before starting new campaigns. LB said he is planning to administer these.
AK: Some campaigns eg conversion to Unit-E are 'pawn moves' (ie only need to be done once), some (eg tree-planting) need ongoing admin.
ZZ: planning NLBC carbon day spring 04.

Agreed important/inspiring to share successes eg like Elayne in Colchester

Network is still useful for sharing info, asking questions. LB suggested cc-ing local groups minutes to PS… generally.

Next Campaign
Food-miles was tentatively agreed a year ago; but not successfully turned into a viable campaign. Zee-Zee's research only highlighted the complexity of the subject. Suggested broadening it into a 'food awareness' campaign. Raises issues of fair trade. Would be another campaign requiring ongoing admin, stimulation. ZZ agreed to continue thinking it through but couldn't say when she'd have anything ready.

Noted the need to inspire people to act - eg using material from Akuppa's workshops/book. Promote ideas re motivation from Akuppa's book…

Next meeting: not planned.

Notes from a PS Buddhist Eco Practice Meeting
held at FWBO day Saturday 6th April 2002

Greetings again from Lokabandhu! I hope this finds you well.

As some of you will know (because you were there!) about 10 of us had a meeting on FWBO day, which I must say was a delight, and I think very effective. An especial welcome went to Arthacarya, newly ordained and instigator of the "ESA network" around the North London centre. (ESA = Environmental and Social Action). A number of things came out of our meeting, so please read on!

These are brief notes of what we discussed; very soon I will send another message with more details of our suggested campaigning objectives as agreed on Sunday: it's my earnest hope that this will mark the real beginning of a much more prominent & out-going & effective phase for us - but it will only be this if each of us in each of our different spheres takes it up. So please do gear yourselves up for getting active round your centre!!

REVIEW OF PROGRESS SO FAR

Jacob summed this up eloquently by describing us as "Strong on 'process; weak on content". We have established a network and clear principles - it was agreed the time had come to promote specific projects. It was noted that people generally respond more to specific requests and suggestions.

CAMPAIGNS

Lokabandhu proposed that P.S. begin a rolling program of specific campaigns, coming out of our "5-point eco agenda" which we agreed last year. He reminded people of Subhuti's request that as far as possible we try to act in concert across the whole movement - Subhuti felt the movement needs more unifying in this way.

It was agreed to begin this rolling program with campaigns for (1) SWITCHING TO RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY and (2) ATTAINING CARBON-NEUTRALITY, and initially to think of an annual cycle, launching new campaigns on or around each FWBO day.

It was agreed the "Renewable electricity" campaign was clear enough to take up immediately, but the objectives of the "Carbon neutrality" campaign needed sharpening up. However the theme was agreed and this years Buddhafield Festival was pencilled in for the launch - ie mid-July. Various points were made and noted - Lokabandhu and Bob will circulate a draft soon.

For the "Renewable electricity" campaign the objective is simple: to persuade all your local regulars / mitras / OMs / communities / Right Livelihoods and the centre itself to switch their electricity supplier to one which supplies only renewable electricity. We are recommending UNIT[E] which seems the best in the UK - though it is not the only option. One advantage is that the simple one-off action of switchi g would make a permanent & substantial difference.

Given that the FWBO is decentralized, it is unavoidably up to each rep - ie you! - to approach people in your area, and local success or failure will largely be down to how much energy each local rep is able to give it. However the P.S. Network & web-site is there as a resource and Lokabandhu is happy to write to your local chairman if you think that would help.

We suggest contacting individuals via sangha night announcements, events & posters; communities & RLs via phone calls, giving background info + suggesting they discuss it; and centres by talking to the chairman. See accompanying briefing sheets for some background info

MEASURING PROGRESS (not mentioned in the meeting)

It seems to me (Lokabandhu speaking) that we should keep a record of our 'conversion' rate. I'd suggest starting by making a list of every element in the local situation, which can then be annotated as they each decide whether or not to go with our suggestion that they switch to renewable electricity.

FUTURE CAMPAIGNS

None agreed though Lokabandhu raised the idea of a "Simple Life Review".

WEB SITE

Agreed we should do whatever we can to spread awareness & use of this - eg by quoting the web address in every poster or mailout. It is "www.ecopractice.fwbo.org" and it is a great resource. Details of the 2 campaigns will be on it soon, plus there is a long essay by Lokabandhu on Pratitya Samutpada as the theoretical under-pinning for eco-Buddhism - feedback welcome.

(also not mentioned in the meeting):
Lokabandhu would like to add people's e-mail addresses to the list of centre reps, so as to make it easier for browsers to contact us. Please let him know if you're NOT happy with this.

P.S. RETREAT

All present were enthusiastic about a long weekend retreat for P.S. reps, probably to be held in the Autumn, somewhere in the UK. More details to follow.

NEXT MEETING

Suggested date + venue for this is the Buddhafield Festival - ie July 17-21 and North Devon. Lokabandhu can arrange free tickets so long as you're prepared to help out in some way. In fact you're very welcome so please do come!

OTHER

Highly reccommended is the "Go M.A.D book" published by the Ecologist - only £3.99. . Best wishes for now.

from Lokabandhu

PLEASE NOTE MY NEW CONTACT DETAILS:

MOBILE: 07810 822 786 (Vodaphone)

E-MAIL: lokabandhu@buddhafield.com