EARTH DAY April 22, 2026
Riverside Park Milwaukee

In the dharma world there is no increase, no decrease, no coming, no going, no beginning, no ending,
No earth, sun, moon, or stars. No buddhas or sentient beings.

Out of infinite compassion Buddhas and Ancestors appear, and fully realize that they are the same as the vast sky and the Great Earth.
Mountains rise up and waters receive the light of the sun.
Algae and fish appear in the seas, lichens grow on rocks, myriad plant and animal forms express the co-dependent arising of beings dynamically inter-weaving the fabric of life.

Today we recall that our individual lives combine to create balance, and confess that human activity contributes to Earth going Out-of-balance. . . So we vow to wake up and remind ourselves to take good care of the Earth.

Now, on this day dedicated to healing the planet, we have gathered together and recited an Earth Prayer, poems, and joined in a silent walk along the Milwaukee River.

We offer all benefit to the complete well-being, balance and sustainability of the Great Earth
and the bio-sphere. To wild mountains, clear waters, clean air, nourishing topsoil, green fields, forests, and the health of all forms of life. To all those working to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Earth.
To the endangered species of the world.
To our original Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha and all teachers of wisdom and compassion, who offer dharma blessings of respect and consideration for all the myriad inter-related lives of this Earthly realm.

Going forth from this day of Earth gratitude, may the seeds of balance and harmony flower and bear fruit throughout the universe. May our practice rise with the mountains and deepen with the waters and mature into millions of beneficial actions of restraint and generosity.

May all beings of the Earth realize the Great Awakened Way.