Cultivating Compassion for Mother Earth: Can Tonglen Offer a Path Towards Environmental Healing?

This study explores the viability of the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Tonglen as a mainstream eco-consciousness activity. While a substantial body of literature suggests Buddhism offers a potential environmental ethic, some even claiming that it is inherently eco-friendly, the perspectives of contemporary Buddhist teachers are largely underrepresented in the academic debate. Drawing on qualitative research with tonglen practitioners, this paper investigates how they engage with the nonhuman world in their practice and whether tonglen might contribute to meaningful community action on the eco-crisis. The study also examines the points of convergence between tonglen and Council of All Beings ritual through an autoethnographic account of the ritual, exploring shared themes, such as interdependence and notions of Self. While this study concludes Tonglen has potential as a path to eco-healing for Tonglen practitioners, it is questionable whether it would be accessible to a broad cross-section of the community. Although this is something that can be explored in further studies, this current study suggests that Tonglen requires a grounding in Buddhism’s core concepts, such as the Two Truths. This study found that Council of All Beings rituals share common themes with Tonglen and might be considered as manifestations of Tonglen, or valuable and accessible alternative to Tonglen.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Allen, Christine

• BQ Bwdhaeth

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3821