On 28th February, two British Triratna Buddhists and six from Gaia House (working together in the Dharma Action Network for Climate Engagement) carried out a small protest action at the Wellcome Collection in London.

Yogaratna writes: “The Wellcome Trust does excellent work funding medical research, but has large investments in fossil fuel corporations. Since fossil fuel extraction is exacerbating climate change, which is very harmful to human health, we were calling on the Trust to divest from these investments.

Our action was timed to coincide with the end of the ‘Tibet's Secret Temple’ exhibition, about traditional Tibetan medicine and spirituality. Walking slowly in single file through the exhibition, chanting the Avalokitesvara mantra, we handed out many leaflets, unfurled a banner and stood in a line in the foyer. We chanted a text rejoicing in the great work the Wellcome Trust does, but calling on it to divest from fossil fuel investment. People seemed very interested, and a number applauded when we finished. 

We were adding our voices to those of many healthcare professionals who have expressed concern to the Wellcome Trust on its investments in the last year - as featured in the Guardian newspaper's ‘Keep it in the Ground’ campaign.”

Read a longer article about Buddhism and activism by Yogaratna.