The Earth is not only the common heritage of all humankind but also the ultimate source of life. By over-exploiting its resources we are undermining the very basis of our own life. All around, signs abound of the destruction caused by human activity and of the degradation of nature. Therefore, the protection and conservation of the Earth is not a question of morality or ethics but a question of our survival. -Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, Native American culture, and the Environment

Native American spirituality, like Buddhism, upholds mindfulness, compassion, communion with nature, and reverence for life and often shows the highest level of Buddhist understanding.  Despite the similarities, most experts believe Buddhism did not travel with native populations to the New World.  The Dalai Lama, however, has suggested that Tibetan dance says otherwise. Specific dances have survived unchanged across the land bridge to Native American traditions.

Many books and articles have been published which argue that Tibetans and Native Americans
share a common ancestry.  The similarity between Native Americans of the Southwest and Tibetans is striking.  Besides common physicality and appearance, parallels include turquoise jewelry used to ward off evil spirits, the abundant use of silver and coral, the colors and patterns of textiles and long braided hair, sometimes decorated, worn by both sexes.  Other similarities between Tibetan and Native American spiritual practices include Navajo sand painting and cosmic themes found throughout traditional Pueblo dances. Tantric Buddhist traditions such as the “eye of the god” are also used by native peoples of North America.  The Lakota end all prayers with ” O MITAKUYE OYASIN” meaning “I do this for all my relations (or all sentient beings).” The similarity to metta or lovingkindness meditation is unmistakable.

The following statements by the Dalai Lama from September 20, 1991, marked the launching of the campaign, Caring for the Earth, by the World Conservation Union.  His words are paired with those of Chief Seattle, Brooke Medicine Eagle, and others who display the Buddhist concepts of interconnectedness, oneness with nature, mindful living, and even reincarnation.

Just as we should cultivate more gentle and peaceful relations with our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of attitude towards the natural environment. Morally speaking, we should be concerned for our whole environment.  -H H Dalai Lama

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There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet.  ~Brooke Medicine Eagle

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Destruction of nature resources results from ignorance, lack of respect for the Earth’s living things, and greed.  In the first place we must strive to overcome these states of mind by developing an awareness of the interdependent nature of all phenomena, an attitude of wishing not to harm other living creatures and an understanding of the need for compassion. Because of the interdependent nature of everything we cannot hope to solve the multifarious problems with a one-sided or self-centered attitude.    -Dalai Lama

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Man did not weave the web of life- he is merely a strand in it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.  We are part of the Earth and it is part of us.    -Chief Seattle 1854

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Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect.  ~Chief Seattle, 1855

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In the case of such global issues as the conservation of the Earth, and indeed in tackling all problems, the human mind is the key factor. Whether they are problems of economics, international relations, science, technology, medicine or ecology, although these issues seem to be beyond anyone individual’s capacity, where the problem begins and where the answer must first be sought is within. In order to change the external situation we must first change within ourselves. If we want a beautiful garden we must first have a blueprint in the imagination, a vision. Then that idea can be implemented and the external garden can materialize.    -Dalai Lama

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The Circle has healing power. In the Circle, we are all equal. When in the Circle, no one is in front of you. No one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is below you. The Sacred Circle is designed to create unity. The Hoop of Life is also a circle. On this hoop there is a place for every species, every race, every tree and every plant. It is this completeness of Life that must be respected in order to bring about health on this planet. ~Dave Chief, Oglala Lakota

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Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money.  ~Cree Indian Proverb

There is no death, only change of worlds.   -Chief Seattle

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“The earth and myself are of one mind.”

~Chief Seattle, Nez Perce