In this interview, filmed at Songdhammakalyani, near Bangkok, Dhammananda Bhikkhuni reflects on the environmental crisis and our responsibility in it. She was the first fully ordained Thai Theravada Bikkhuni. Before to ordain she was known as Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, internationally recognized for her work on women in Buddhism and environmental conservation. She grounds her reflections in a central idea: the crisis we are facing is not a natural one, but a “man-made crisis”, born from centuries of human excess. In recent weeks, more and more places around the world have found themselves caught in the effects of the climate crisis. Entire forests are burning, record-breaking heatwaves are sweeping across the globe, and dangerously high temperatures are affecting us all. Millions of living beings are suffering the consequences. This climate emergency is deeply connected to today's spiritual crisis. By losing our connection with ourselves, we have also lost our connection with nature. As we continue to seek happiness in external, material things, the Earth bears the full weight of our daily overconsumption. "As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower, or its colour or scent, so should the sage wander in the village." The Dhammapada, Verse 49 Dhammananda Bikkhuni has written 3 books on the subject:

Buddhism and Nature Conservation (1998)
Green Buddhism: Buddhist Ethical Concern for Forests (1999)
A Cry from the Forest (1987)

Directed by Elisa Cucinelli
Original score by Sunju Hargun
Paragami Production