Environment Protection

We must protect our Dharma environments. The environments and cultures we create are even more important than the lamas. You could have an excellent lama who only wishes to act in accord with the Dharma but they will be unable to if the environment in which they are operating has become overcome by the world. The external factors, such as the worldly traditions, cultures and habits for fundraising, reputation building, networking and so on will not allow the lama to act as they wish. Even their good intentions will be subverted towards worldly ends by the people around them and the influence of the environment.

Our most important Dharma environments must be protected at all costs. For us as Kagyupas, followers of the practice lineage, our most important places are our retreat centres. For this reason, I do my utmost to protect the environment of Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, where I spend most of my time. This is a vitally important place for Thrangu Monastery, and, by extension, for the Kagyu tradition as a whole. If even our main places for Dharma practice have been compromised by the world, what hope is there for the other branches of the monasteries, the city Dharma centres and so on?

August 2025, Macao