Countering Climate Change with Prayers?

Tibetan sMon lam Practice, Buddhist Ecoactivism, and Extinction Rebellion

Abstract

Is it possible to counter climate change with prayers? This paper examines the Tibetan prayer practice called sMon lam or resolute aspirations (Skt. praṇidhāna), Buddhist end-time narratives, and their potential connection to climate change and contemporary Buddhist ecoactivism. In addition to textual material and online sources, the study bases itself on fieldwork, interviews with activists of XR Buddhists Germany, and participant observation during an XR Buddhist Campaign in Berlin from September 17–19, 2022. The paper raises the question of how existing Buddhist end-time narratives have been adapted and recontextualised by Buddhist groups concerned with the environment and what role resolute aspirations play in this regard. Additionally, the paper examines processes of cultural exchange and adaptation of core (Mahāyāna) Buddhist principles, such as the bodhisattva path and Nirvāṇa.