A greener place at IMI Sera Jey Monastery

Today’s success story covers our very own partnership with The International Mahayana Institute (IMI) at Sera Jey Monastery. IMI is an organisation for western monks to study and develop their knowledge of Buddhism philosophy.

They are fond of planting trees and having a greener environment around their house where they study, contemplate and meditate. They wished to have more trees along side their border and the front yard which would benefit the environment. We started our conversations and with the help of a birthday fundraiser, the trees arrived to their new habitat. The Juniper trees were our selected type for easy care and hardiness to form a hedge at the property’s boundary. They are among the most common trees in the area. These trees will not only help as a hedge, but will also provide shade and home for many beings.

Venerable Gache shares, “when Sera IMI House was first constructed in 2002, it was in an isolated area, surrounded by fields. Gradually, as Sera Jey in general has become more built up, the blocks of land around us have been filled with other houses. When we initiated this project, we also decided to use the opportunity to plant more trees within our own property, to beautify the area and benefit the environment as much as possible.

Personally, I have always both felt a strong connection with, and been deeply concerned with the natural environment. Ever since I came to Sera IMI House in 2006, I have taken time to look after the large garden and yard. I think proper maintenance of it is essential for the success of the monks here, both because it provides a grounding atmosphere for our intensive study, and because it connects us with the sentient beings around us. Now, as director of the house, and prompted by the agreement with our Mongolian neighbors to plant trees on the boundary of our property, I have taken the opportunity to plant as many trees as possible on our land. I’m sure the local birds, displaced by the increasing deforestation in South India and in our immediate environment, will appreciate a place to make their nests. We will also enjoy the presence of their chirping at dawn and dusk, marking the daily transitions of night and day”.

Thank you so much for this wonderful cooperation; we are hoping to continue to help plant more trees around the main house.

We hope that many other monks at the Monastery take the initiative to plant trees, helping the environment and providing shade to many, in the summer heat of India.

We are very happy that we got to help with the first stage of planting 75 Juniper trees and very excited to share more in the upcoming weeks.