Latest research findings published in the July 4th issue of 2019 of the American journal ‘Science’ points to planting a large number of trees as the most effective approach in encountering climate change, as estimated by Swiss scientists. Venerable Master Hsin Tao, the founding abbot of the Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society, has been reserving no efforts in promoting the ‘Loving the Earth’ ideal in Naung Mon, Myanmar, and the Prime Minister (Governor) of the Shan State, Linn Htut Esquire, visited the LJM Da Shan Yuan Monastery(Mahā Kusalā Yāma Monastery) and led those present on the occasion in planting a thousand trees, while a Lung Hwa tree, in particular, was planted in the front courtyard of the main hall in preparations for Bodhisattva Maitreya’s achieving the enlightenment to become a future Buddha.

The global level of awareness of environmental protection has been on the rise, and the Burmese government has been paying close attention to forestation as a strategic priority of the country’s development. It was against such background that the Prime Minister (Governor) of the Shan State, Linn Htut Esquire, paid a visit to LJM’s endeavors in Lashio Naung Mon, namely the School for Sramaneras and the eco-farm respectively. A tree-planting ceremony to optimize conditions in the monsoon season was also held.

Swiss scientists pointed out that a forestation that covers nine million square kilometers - namely equivalent to the area of the USA in size - with a minimum of one trillion trees, two-thirds of man-made emission of warmth can be off-set in the coming decades.

It has been years already since LJM activated its ideals of ‘Loving the Earth / Loving Peace’ in a number of concrete ways. The ‘1-Hour per Month for Beach-Cleaning’ in Taiwan has become a well-known LJM initiative. In Myanmar, for instance, lessons on environmental protection are offered to young Sramaneras, while toxic-free farming has become a signature for the eco-farm. Such deeds are popular and they soon acquire the status of role models. Local authorities have reached the decision to appropriate a fund for local development in the value of 70Million of local currency at the LJM Da Shan Yuan Monastery in Naung Mon. It was an effort for the general public to see the government’s determination in protecting the environment.

When the tree-planting ceremony ended, Shih Heng Ming Master of the LJM Buddhist Society had the opportunity of escorting his Excellence Linn Htut on a tour of the facility at the LJM School of Sramaneras at Naung Mon. The guest of honor was rather impressed with the School’s in-house clinic that not only takes care of all the young Sramaneras but expands to look after local residents near-by when they need medical services.

Following the visit to the LJM School of Sramaneras, Shih Chang Le Master of the LJM Buddhist Society had the opportunity of taking the delegation under His Excellence Linn Htut on a tour of the Naung Mon eco-farm. Dignitaries on the delegation included Shan State Minister of Security & Border Affairs, Shan State Minister of Natural Resources & Environmental Protection, Shan State Minister of Agriculture, Husbandry, & Irrigation, and Shan State Minister for Burmese Affairs, among others.

His Excellence Linn Htut took a keen interest in growing plants and raised numerous questions during the visit. He praised the eco-farm for staying away from chemical fertilizers and pesticides and cultivated the farmland in ways that allow the ecology and humankind to co-exist in harmony. When he saw rows and rows of hilly slopes, he gave instructions for hold prompt meetings for ecology and land preservation, while inviting nearby villagers and minority representatives to discuss and identify best possible practices for land preservation and forestation.

The way the Naung Mon eco-farm has been going about cultivating the farmland in ways that agree with the LJM ideal of ‘Loving the Earth’ also received professional recognition from scholars on the visiting delegation. Dr. Kyaw Tun, Rector of the Lashio University, pointed out that there is a department of botany on campus, and positive interactions can be initiated and built upon for frequent exchange programs.

Environmental protection has risen to the status of a global issue, and there is no time to waste when it comes to loving the Earth. Dharma Master Hsin Tao, the founding abbot of the LJM Buddhist Society, is currently focused on getting the planned future University for Life & Peace off the drawing board. The future University project aims at awakening the heart’s positive incarnation toward changing the Earth’s magnetic field in the hope of restoring Nature’s ecology. The project further looks to a strong synergy between businesses, governments, and academics to materialize ecological ethics. In Myanmar, the examples shared above clearly indicate that young Sramaneras already have in them the notion of honoring the Earth and living in harmony with it, whereas the eco-farm literally and physically illustrate what ‘Loving the Earth’ is all about with non-toxic farming as the case in point. For those of us in Taiwan, it ought to go without saying that we take upon ourselves to enact the ideal of ‘Loving the Earth’, with no questions asked. Only then it is possible for the collective merit of the Great Compassion Vow to rise to help keep our planet safe and secure.