Climate & Compassion Awards for Dharma Center Food Policies

Our Climate & Compassion Awards Program seeks to recognize and celebrate Dharma Centers that are aligning their food policies with the principles of compassion, sustainability, engaged bodhicitta, and Buddhist ethics.

By doing so, these centers are taking concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of sentient beings in animal industries as well as mitigating the wider detrimental impacts of animal agriculture on the decline of our climate, ecosystems, waterways, air, and biodiversity, by serving and promoting plant-based food.

“There is a climate, ocean and biodiversity crisis. Fossil fuels and animal agriculture are the driving force behind runaway global warming as well as extensive biodiversity loss, large-scale deforestation, species extinction, water depletion, soil degradation and ocean dead zones.”

Plant-Based Treaty, Safe & Just Report

Our Awards

Aspiring Bodhicitta

35% Plant-Powered Dharma Centers
1x Plant-Based Meal a Day

Emergent Bodhicitta

65% Plant-Powered Dharma Centers
2x Plant-Based Meals a Day

Engaged Bodhicitta

100% Plant-Powered Dharma Centers
3x Plant-Based Meals a Day

How to participate?

Take a minute to explore the pathways to participate in our Awards Program, as well as ways that your sangha or dharma center can receive free expert support and consultation from us to move their menus toward compassionate and sustainable plant-powered offerings, by clicking the subjects to the right.

    • Dharma Centers will be evaluated on the degree to which their food policies and practices reflect a commitment to compassion for all life, as well as a dedication to environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change. This will be measured by entering a commitment with DVA and the public, to serve either 1, 2 or 3 fully plant-based meals a day.

  • Any Dharma Center, temple, monastery, sangha, or other Buddhist institution is eligible to apply for these awards if they meet the criteria of one of the award tiers. Any center can receive in-depth consulting from DVA in order to transition towards qualification. We are open to all sects and schools of Buddhism.

    • Use this link for all nominations and applications: FORM

    • Self-Admission: Centers that already meet one of our Award category criteria are invited to reach out and submit information about their current food policies, and we will be honored to dole out an Award and promote your center through DVA! 

    • Nominating a Center: Please feel free to nominate Dharma Centers or Buddhist organizations that you know of who are eligible or interested in participating in the Awards.

    • Consulting for Nomination: We will also work closely with interested Dharma Centers willing to transition their menus to meet one of our Award categories through in-depth consulting and support around plant-based cooking, menu creation, recipe adaptation, nutritional education, climate and ethical considerations, etc. Work with us and we will fully support you in raising the bar on your plant-powered journey!

  • Award recipients will receive an award certificate by DVA and will be featured & celebrated on our website and social media - thus bringing public attention and recognition to your climate & compassion friendly efforts. We will also support you through in-depth consulting on plant-based nutrition and cooking if desired, as well as animal and environmental education, and access to a network of DVA mentors and resources to further strengthen your mindful, compassionate and plant-based initiatives. Small financial grants are available on a need-basis to support the initial plant-based transition and exploration.

“In addition to climate mitigation gains, a transition towards more plant-based consumption and reduced consumption of animal-based foods, particularly from ruminant animals, could reduce pressure on forests and land used for feed, support the preservation of biodiversity and planetary health, and contribute to preventing forms of malnutrition (i.e. undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and obesity) in developing countries. Other co-benefits include lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and reducing mortality from diet-related non-communicable diseases.”

– Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
A report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Those who train wholeheartedly in awakening unconditional and relative bodhicitta are called bodhisattvas or warriors—not warriors who kill and harm, but warriors of nonaggression who hear the cries of the world. 

- Pema Chödron

Nominate your dharma center here today!

And help others align their actions with their compassionate intentions
for the sake of all animals and our precious planet.