On October 22, Golden Year 6 (2009), a conference entitled “Organic Vegan for Prosperity and to Save the Planet from Climate Change” was held jointly by the Environment Ministry of Indonesia and our Association in Indonesia with Supreme Master Ching Hai as the special guest of honor. More than 500 guests, comprised of local government officials, scientists, teachers, students, representatives from various media groups, public figures and our Association members, attended this event at Manggala Wanabhakti National Museum of Forestry located in central Jakarta. 

Mrs. Sri Hudyastuti from the Ministry of Assistance for Economic and Poverty Alleviation gave the opening speech on behalf of Mr. Rachmat Witoelar who is the Head of the Indonesian National Council on Climate Change and former Indonesian Minister of Environment. The talk outlined the climate condition in Indonesia and the need to take quick action in creating a mitigation program. Mr. Witoelar encourages all people to make every effort possible to establish a sustainable environment rather than to depend on other parties to overcome the climate change problem.

Mr. Budhiharto, Shining World Compassion Award recipient

Following that, a video featuring the urgency of the planetary crisis as well as some of the most simple and cost effective solutions was introduced to the audience. A respected representative from the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs. Amanda Katili Niode, presented the facts on global warming and their impact on our life. Dr. Hira Jhamtani, an associate of the Third World Network and a passionate environmental researcher based in Bali, shared her views on the benefits of an organic diet as a means of improving the welfare of farmers and society as a whole. Dr. Anton Budiono, a navy physician and expert in natural therapy, explained the advantages of a raw organic vegan diet in maintaining good health. The last speaker, Professor Aris Ananta, Ph.D., a senior researcher at the Institute of South East Asian Studies in Singapore (ISEAS), elaborated on the determinants of the availability of food based on speculative economy, demand and supply.

The highlight of the event was the question and answer session through live videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai, addressing many urgent issues regarding the climate crisis. To encourage Mr. Budhiharto, a wildlife activist at Cikananga Wildlife Center, who is a Shining World Compassion Award recipient, to go veg, Master listed the benefits of the plant-based diet including fitness, performance, strength, endurance and intelligence, in addition to helping save the world. She said that to make the vegan lifestyle a trend in society, we can’t afford to wait for the government to create it, we have to start from ourselves and then further influence others.

Mr. Haji Chaerudin, a farmer and founder of Sangga Buana Environmental Farmers Group, asked how to make more people understand the ancient philosophy that “nature is not inherited but is our legacy for our great grandchildren.” Master commented that many religious beliefs also describe the role of humans as the stewards or caretakers of the planet. She challenged the audience to ponder the question, “Is there any law from God, from Allah or from our physical law stating that we have the right to destroy the habitats of the wild, and then kill them if they come near?” She continued to say, “I hope you and the audience can agree that the legacy to our children should include our promise, our vow, our law, to refrain from killing animals or making them suffer in any way.”

Master also took the chance to inform the audience that since the tsunami in 2004, more than 60 Indonesian islands have become submerged and it’s forecasted that 2,000 more islands may sink below the sea over the next decade due to global warming. Furthermore, the rising sea levels are forcing people to lose their home and to go begging elsewhere. She pleaded for everyone to make changes while there is still time, to avoid such disastrous consequences as losing the whole world and our lives altogether.

Mr. Hadianto, an Indonesian travel agent and vegan, asked, “How should we human beings develop? Is there or will there be a limit to this development? How should society be built?” Master responded that we should not lose ourselves in the material aspects of life without paying attention to our moral standards and spiritual development as well. If we have the spiritual eye, we can see the growth patterns in past civilizations, both on Earth and on other planets. “The planets that were saved from destruction, like Venus, were saved because their societies became vegan.” She explained, “There were four Venuses–only two of them were saved because their societies became vegan. The other two Venuses were destroyed–one is completely gone, the other is boiling hot and uninhabitable–because they were not vegan. The two Venuses were saved because they became vegan. Many planets that did not survive, like Mars, perished with meat still in their mouths, between their teeth. So, it is up to us . . . . If we alone are vegan, we ourselves will change at least, and if there are enough of us, our society will change.”

During the conference, the Indonesian version of Master’s international bestselling book The Birds in My Life was officially launched. Guests were entertained with musical performances by well-known local musicians as well as traditional dances, and were treated with a delicious vegan feast afterwards. Many people were highly impressed by Master’s compelling words of wisdom and decided to make changes in their lives. Event participant Adeline said that she plans to go vegan, even though it’s hard to change that habit, “but if we care to try, there is nothing that we cannot do.” Actress and model Ms. Francine Roosenda shared, “I'm very inspired by what Master Ching Hai said . . . if that very noble intention can help do something to save this planet, then why not? And I'm willingly going to do that and help.”

We thank God for another successful climate change conference, and pray that a global vegan community will grow through continuous endeavors to save our magnificent Earth.
 

To watch Supreme Master Television’s coverage of this videoconference, please visit: http://video.Godsdirectcontact.net/magazine/WOW1220s.php

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