Buddhist Action Month (BAM) is an annual opportunity to put our Buddhist values into action. It’s a time to reflect on how our compassion manifests in the world, celebrate what we are already doing, and challenge ourselves to do more.
Started as Buddhist Action Day by the Network of Buddhist Organisations in 2012, it quickly grew into a month-long initiative every June, inspiring practical action throughout the year. Individuals, groups, and centres across the world participate each year, making a collective impact.
BAM 2025
This year we are suggesting the theme of ‘Sowing Seeds of compassion in the world’, which includes creating stories of positive ecological and climate action to inspire others so we can face the future together more joyfully. We invite you to get involved in ecological and climate action in your local communities by joining already existing groups and creating your own.
To act with gentleness and endeavour towards the collective wellbeing of all life is to follow the Buddhist path and our aspiration to address suffering. As the future emerges from our present actions, sowing seeds is the most important thing we can do – both literally and metaphorically. We invite you to interpret this as you wish.
Here are also some suggestions for action.
You can find more resources in the Buddhist Action Handbook 2025.
How to Get Involved
Here are some suggestions to help you embrace this year’s theme:
Outdoor Activities: Literally sow seeds by participating in community gardening, rewilding projects, or local conservation efforts. Connect with existing ecological initiatives or start your own.
Growing Food Together: Share knowledge and skills related to sustainable gardening and food production. Collaborate to grow fresh produce while building stronger bonds within your community.
Building Community: Lasting change requires collective effort. By working together, we strengthen our communities and inspire one another. Bring your Buddhist perspective to local groups and activities to infuse them with wisdom and compassion.
Imagining Our Future: Use storytelling and creativity to envision a positive and sustainable future. Sharing stories of hope can motivate others to join in and feel a sense of belonging.
Join an activist community such as XR Buddhists, or get involved in Big Green Week or Faith for the Climate.
BAM online in May
Join our May webinars to gather inspiration for your June activities!
We will be hosting four online events featuring Buddhists from various traditions, sharing stories of what has motivated them to take action on today’s most pressing issues. These webinars will be an opportunity to explore how you can get involved, develop new ideas, and contribute to projects within your own community.
Come along, connect with others, and be inspired to make a positive impact!
The dates are:
Sunday 4th May @ 5pm – 6.30pm
Living well in turbulent times
Acting as an individual and as community
Hear how one Sangha has engaged in individual and community activities to promote Biodiversity, tackle climate change and support the local community in areas from helping food banks to engaging asylum seekers in supporting the environment.
With Narapa and Kim Farr.
FREE REGISTRATION on Eventbrite
https://BuddhistActionMonth.eventbrite.co.uk
Sunday 11th May @ 5pm – 6.30pm
Compassion: the only sustainable fuel for climate activism
What is compassion? How do we work with horrified anxiety? Guided compassion meditation.
With Shantigarbha and Santacitta, members of Triratna Earth Sangha Heart Group. Shantigarbha is author of The Burning House: A Buddhist response to the climate and ecological emergency and Santacitta is a retired GP and Jungian analyst.
Zoomlink: https://us02web.
Meeting ID: 862 3536 7030
Passcode: 270567
Saturday 17th May @ 5pm – 6.30pm
Extinction Rebellion Buddhists: The Dharma of direct action
Listen to a live interview with long-time activists from XR Buddhists, with a chance to join the discussion. Find out how the group is bringing the dharma to the front lines of climate activism – and what the experience of this is like on the ground.
With Andy Wistreich and Joe Mishan from XR Buddhists.
Zoomlink: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86235367030?pwd=ICNmm9Oebrj0WXQONBbSMVpZNKiVT0.1
Meeting ID: 862 3536 7030
Passcode: 270567
Sunday 25th May @ 5pm – 6.30pm
Walking the Eightfold Garden Path: garden work as Buddhist Practice and Climate Action
By opening out each step of the Eightfold Path, we’ll explore how our practice and engagement with the world can be illuminated through work on the land, and how that most fundamental connection we have through our bodies with the earth can nurture and nourish us along the path of awakening and ecological restoration. With John Marder and Margaret Lear.
Zoomlink: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85840588265?pwd=RfaDyCwTKqLLU7yoRjYg44aARCfcME.1
