Christopher will turn 70 in 2014, and to express appreciation for all he has offered us personally and communally we would like to offer something back. We have collected together four projects close to Christopher's heart that we can support in his name.
We've selected two reforestation projects in India, where industrial pollution has led to a relatively high concentration of airborne carbon; trees can make a difference. Another reforestation project is in Palestine, a place that Christopher has much love and concern for. Lastly, as an advocate for education, Christopher has been a devoted supporter of the Pragya Vihar School in Bodhgaya, India since it's inception.
How this works
You can donate to the project of your choice, and we will forward the money to that project. We will keep a record of all the donations and let Christopher know on his birthday the total that has gone to each project, and that it was done in his name. You can include a short private note with your donation, and you can also post a public comment to this page. All notes and comments will be forwarded to Christopher on his birthday.
Please share this page freely with anyone you think will be interested, and enjoy these myriad ways to make the world a better place, in honour of one who lives for that.
Reforestation: Planting a Forest for Christopher
The Forest Way
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, South India
Restoring the forests of the sacred Arunachala Hill, with the aim to not simply return tree cover to the Hill, but a broader restoration of its complex ecosystems. Your donation will be used to plant and protect trees.(Click here for more info)
Earthville Orchards
Dharmalaya Institute, Bir, Himachal Pradesh, North India
Planting trees in the Himalayan mountains with a holistic vision: Employing rural villagers to plant and tend to the trees, creating green jobs for rural women and others in need of income. Planting mostly fruit trees; thereby contributing organically grown fresh fruit to the local diet.(Click here for more info)
Being Peace - Olive Trees
Wadi Kana, Palestine
This project buys young olive and fruit trees for farmers who have lost their livelihoods. In Palestine trees are being uprooted by an authority the farmers did not vote for and have no say in. The restrictions this puts on them, in addition to being under occupation, make their lives very difficult.
(Click here for more info)
Education: Helping children's thirst for learning
Pragya Vihar School
Bodh Gaya, Bihar, North India
The school provides free education to hundreds of economically and socially disadvantaged youth who would otherwise receive no education. (Click here for more info)
Choose your donation choice and amount below,
then click the Pay Now button:
To donate a larger amount to Pragya Vihar School,
click the "Donate" button below and follow the prompts.
Thank you for your visit. Whether you've made a donation or not, please take a moment to share some thoughts with Christopher in the comments below. (Your comment will be public.)
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteYou dedication to service and truth are an inspiration and guiding light. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insights over the years with us all.
Wishing you many more years to come.
Much Love Nathan
Christopher, the first time I sat a retreat with you I remember telling a friend afterwards that I had found the teachings that I'd been looking for. Since then you have been a constant source of friendship, support and incredible inspiration. Thank you for everything you do and for who you are. May we enjoy many more moments together, Much love Zohar
ReplyDeleteMuch gratitude for everything you have so freely given - support, teachings, presence, inspiration, being, etc. - to myself and to so many people over the years.
ReplyDeleteIt is rare, and precious, to meet living beings that can inspire us to live a better life, and to dare question, inquire and explore areas of our lives which are otherwise often left untouched.
Thank you for the fearlessness and boldness of uncompromising questioning.
very grateful to have met you,very happy to have heard the dhamma,very happy to have practised what have been taught;)
ReplyDeletea life dedicated to liberation and love and wisdom,that inspired me!
Big Hugs across the universe,life is so much bigger now
Tom
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to you. May you have a wonderful day with your family and friends! Thank you for your support and loving kindness after Nadamos death! You're still in my heart!
Dagmar
Dear Christopher - We do not know each other but I hope my small birthday gift for more trees will be one tiny part of a much bigger result. I have been reading more and more about the work of Nathan and Zohar and their friends and felt deeply inspired; I hope that that feeling in me, in everybody touched by such dedication, wisdom and kindness in serving individuals and communities leads to more and greater action from more people giving their time and skill to help others. I have to remember that even two small trees may actually mean there will now be four trees, six trees - and an orchard and even a forest may grow. I pray that your efforts will reap rewards for the farmers. Melina, London
ReplyDeleteWishing you all good things on your birthday and always, with much gratitude and appreciation for all your teaching, inspiration, and kind support. See you soon in India! Love and warmest wishes, Jenny
ReplyDeletedear christopher,
ReplyDeletehave a very happy birthday! with a lot of fun, with good food, chocolate cake!, music, sunshine, laughter and i wish you all the best of everything and that everything you wish for may be fullfilled.
i feel so blessed to have met the dharma and you are a big part of the dharma being available to people today, like you are very much the root of that tree. thank you so much for all your great work and passion. see you somewhere just around the corner soon, lots of love from ulrika
Posted for Rose, from Holland:
ReplyDeleteDear Christopher,
I can not believe you turned 70! Something within you is visibly much younger, it must be your loving kindness spreading in all directions that keeps you so young and energetic :-) My deepest appreciation for your teaching, participation and initiation of many yatra’s. Many years ago I was introduced to the Dharma by you - and Martin and Jaya, who where asked to teach by you- and it was sooo good! I decided to give my very last penny as a donation (which then got me into trouble, anyway you know the story). The gratitude I felt then is still with me, so thank you, thank you, thank you Christopher for your contribution and for how you live your life. It really made a huge difference for me. Happy birthday and very very best wishes.
Lots of love,
Rose from Holland
Dear Christopher - so much gratitude for your unflagging commitment at pointing towards what is profoundly liberating, and your devotion to helping others. The world is a better place for that. Happy birthday - many happy returns, and all that! May it be a wonderful next decade. Love from Richard and Michelle in Brighton.
ReplyDeleteDear Christopher
ReplyDelete"May the love we're sharing spread its wings and fly across the earth to bring near joy to everyone that is alive..."
It' s been a lifechanging event meeting you and the Dharma, discovering the true nature of things in small and big, laughing and smiling together and along with your jokes, sharing concerns and being inspired by your endless wisdom.
Thank you very much! And have a very happy birthday and lots more to come!
Three bows. Izzy from Germany
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best for your birthday.
Thanks for what you have done until now.
Your teachings supported me to remove myself from 'hard' dogmatic theory and nudged me into to lighter and more colorful world.
I think open minded dharma teaching is strongly needed in these (strenuous, digital) times.
Greetings from Vienna,
matthias feilhauer
---
www.feilhauer.net
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeletea warm happy birthday hug to you, may you have a beautiful day of celebration.
Thank you for all your support!
With lots of love and appreciation for your being and your work,
from India.
Nicole
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! This celebratory occasion is a wonderful opportunity to thank you for opening my eyes and ears to the Dhamma. I remember being so disappointed when you made your “when I’m 63” announcement at Spirit Rock that you would no longer be coming to the US to teach. Little did I know that my time with you had already set the course. From time to time I think of you, still reflecting on the meaning of some of your teachings. I feel very fortunate, am deeply grateful for having encountered you and the Dhamma, for it has radically and profoundly transformed my life. I wish you a very happy birthday and all the best!
With much metta,
Ann Dillon
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your 70th Birthday! We wish you and your guests a very happy day and a wonderful party!
Gladly we remember many retreats with you in Bodhgaya. We are grateful to have been there, to sit with a hundred people in that small meditation hall (and many more mosquitoes..) and to listen to inspiring teachings. Still this time feels very valuable to us.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the Dharma and the continuance of teaching in India.
Much Love,
Carsten and Susann from Berlin
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteYou have always been a great source of insight, inspiration and generosity to me.
Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement over 20 years.
Happy birthday + lots of love,
Tineke
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeletethrough the unique rock'n'roll of your awaked heart you showed me how deep silence, creative aliveness and wise compassionate acting go together. Your presence still encourages me to expand my inner space in the name of loving and serving. You inspire me to strengthen my good voice and feel deep joy being part of the change for a better world. Thank you for being such a precious, authentic and committed servant of the dharma.
Happy Birthday & Rock on!
With love,
Sonja
Dear Christopher!
ReplyDeleteHappy happy Birthday!!
Happy celebration of the cycles of your life!
Appreciation of the ripples of joy and light you created!
You are one of the most profound inspiring people on this earth I met (and I searched a lot). Inspiring with your humanity and devotion. Inspiring that there is a way to live and love and be truth and have faith. You thought me so much just from being in your presence, you made me laugh many times. you made me remember, you made me feel love.
I hope you feel forever a part, hugged and taking care of effortlessly as in a full circle.
With sincere love,
Dana Tuler (Israel)
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteSending you heartfelt wishes for a joy-filled birthday, celebrating the blessing of your presence on the earth (not to mention your birthday is earth-day!).
You are a real inspiration for me and Kevin. I appreciate so much how you live your life in service and simplicity. I feel deeply grateful for and inspired by your generosity, your passion for sharing the dharma and your truth seeking.
Really looking forward to being together this summer in our big yatra family...
love,
Elizabeth
Dearly beloved most precious Spring Child!
ReplyDeleteMorning greetings from The Garden of Eden
(Gothenburg Botanical Garden)
just before take off to the green island.
The beauty is at its peak, how appropriate...
Sending you, on the sun's first rays, the eartly delight
for your birthday on Earth Day!
Abundant love and blessings
Maria
Dear Christopher,
ReplyDeleteI have great respect and love for you, for your teachings, and for your unflagging dedication to the dharma. I am forever grateful for happening on to your Bodhgaya retreat in 1995, in spite of all the kicking and groaning and resisting that happened at the time. You are in inspiration to many of us, and speaking just for myself, with just enough irritation and exasperation to know it's the real thing.
Thank you for everything over so many years - Bodhgaya, the Dharma Yatra, the Sarnath gathering, and for your deep and piercing wisdom.
Three bows, a hundred times over.
Love,
Dave