Nearly 100 Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda and Keep Hanoi Clean participate in the environmental protection programme in Hanoi

Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh once said, “I hope every Buddhist will be a member of the environmental protection group and actively go green, thus making environmental greenness. We should create not only a clean physical environment but also a healthy spiritual one for human well-being. If we live in a contaminated environment, our body will suffer from diseases and our spirit will be gloomy and not fresh.” In the morning of July 18, 2020, nearly 100 Buddhists of Chrysanthemum Club of Ba Vang Pagoda joined the programme of cleaning the area along the bank of Pheo River, Tay Tuu Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi together with the authorities and citizens here.

More than 100 Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda, together with foreign friends from Keep Hanoi Clean participating in the environmental protection programme

The programme had the participation of foreign friends, especially Mr James Joseph Kendall, founder of Keep Hanoi Clean, who has carried out many meaningful projects to clean the environment of the Capital. “We've been cleaning up places around the city for more than four years now. Its our goal to have a clean and green future in Hanoi and to inspire local people to take responsibility for the neighbourhood and eventually to just keep everything clean in the city. I love Vietnam and Hanoi and I care a lot about the people here. So I really hope to see people live happier and healthier and be proud of the neighbourhoods and have a beautiful city, more beautiful than we can possibly imagine,” Mr James Joseph Kendall shared.

James Joseph Kendall, founder of Keep Hanoi Clean, together with Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda cleaning the area along Pheo River.

James Joseph Kendall, (the light brown-haired man in the green T-shirt) founder of Keep Hanoi Clean, his partners and Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda joining the clean-up programme.

In a Dharma talk, Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh taught: “Humans have to live in harmony with nature to be healthy, hence a peaceful life. In contrast, when we harm nature and destroy the environment, we cannot be at peace.” Joining this programme was an opportunity for Buddhists to practise Thay's teachings on the sense of responsibility for environmental protection. Participating in such meaningful work which carries a deep humane value, James Joseph Kendall shared his thoughts about the activities and the Buddhists spirit, “So many people came out today to protect the environment. And it was really heartwarming to see everybody come out and join hands together for a cleaner and better environment. I'm really happy to be part of the event today and to be supported with some of our equipment. It's a really great feeling to be part of the event today.”

James Joseph Kendall, Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda, together with members of Keep Hanoi Clean cleaning Pheo River.

Sharing his thoughts about Buddhism, Mr James said, “There is one thing that I really love about Buddhism is they believe in kindness to animals and I think that's also important to think about when we protect the environment. And I'm really happy that the Buddhists are very aware of the environment. I hope more religious groups in the world will realise the importance of protecting the environment for the future plan and also, I wish some mindset of Buddhism would be adopted by other religious groups.”

Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda performing cleaning activities.

Hopefully, these meaningful activities will be promoted more widely so that more people will join together and raise their responsibility for environmental protection. Let's join hands with Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda in protecting the environment for a green planet!