Ocean of Compassion is happy to support the Global Tree Initiative (GTI).

In November of 2019, Tenzin Osel Hita made a wish out loud.

Osel was motivated by a deep-seated interest to find a way for people of all backgrounds and all religions and all socio-economic circumstances to come together over a meaningful project that could be offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a token of gratitude for the never-ending inspiration His Holiness provides the world through his living example.

His Holiness is a well-known champion of environmental issues. He always calls upon people to act with a warm heart and sense of universal responsibility to make continuous efforts to reverse and remedy the degradation of our environment.

Tree planting has always been one of Osel’s passions and dreams. For as long as he has been giving public talks, he has echoed the wisdom of His Holiness wherever he goes. Even at the close of the Being Your True Nature retreat in California during the summer of 2019, Osel gave the participants the commitment of planting a tree before a year had passed.

It was just a matter of connecting the dots for the Global Tree Initiative (GTI) to be created.

The GTI is an ongoing campaign with tree offerings being made to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama each year on His Holiness’ birthday (July 6th). A second set of tree offerings will be made to Lama Zopa Rinpoche each year on Lama Zopa’s birthday as well.

Global Tree Initiative (GTI) is a grass roots international environmental campaign launched through a global community. Acting as a harmonious whole, we can achieve a greater result working together than could possibly be achieved acting individually. We are dedicating the fruits of our activities to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the planet and all living beings including humanity. We hold out our hand as an invitation for you to join us.

Whether this is your first tree planting, or you have planted a forest, we are always learning. Knowing how to plant a tree the right way — especially now, considering such unprecedented climate conditions — will ensure your efforts will not be in vain. So, do your homework. Find the right tree for your situation. You can start even from seeds.

Learn how to plant trees the right way.

STAGE 1: MOTIVATION
Set a good motivation for your tree planting activity. Imagine a better world not just for you and your family but for all living beings. Visualize a world free of inner and outer pollution; a peaceful, prosperous world without hatred, greed and confusion where the landscape is lush and verdant, fragrant flowers bloom, trees stand tall, animals thrive and humanity lives in harmony.

STAGE 2: AWARENESS
Maintain this awareness of your end goal throughout the process. Stay present. Be right where you are holding in your heart a wish for a better world starting right now with you and this seed.

STAGE 3: DEDICATE
After planting and caring for your tree, mentally seal in the whole process. Think, “May the world be a better place due to this tree planting activity” and include any of your personal dedicated wishes too.

STAGE 4: DELIGHT
Delight in your efforts and celebrate. With this thought in your mind, ignite a feeling of joy in your heart. A job well done! Allow this great feeling of joy and delight to swell from the depths of your heart. Your one individual action, coupled with the same individual actions done by thousands and millions around the planet contains the seeds that can change our world.

Share your Tree Planting success with GTI here: https://plantgrowsave.org/report/

After planting your tree, please, make sure to tell us all about it. All numbers and stories and dedications and pictures are being collected into a total global report that will be offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the wish that the inspiring lives of His Holiness and all wise leaders will be long and stable.

Global Tree Initiative website: https://plantgrowsave.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/globaltreeinitiative