For a long time our community at Land of Medicine Buddha, has practiced the path of non-harming towards sentient beings. Land of Medicine Buddha is happy to report that we have just completed the green business certification process to expand our practice of non-harming to the environment.

The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership of environmental agencies, utilities and nonprofit organizations that assist, recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way. To be certified "green," participants must be in compliance with all environmental regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution (such as using more efficient lighting, using less toxic products) and minimizing waste.

It helps to have this certificate because being recognized as a Green Business:

• Improves employee morale & the health of the workplace
• Gives a marketing edge over the competition
• Strengthens the bottom line through operating efficiencies
• Gives recognition as an environmental leader

We appreciate the encouragement Lama Zopa Rinpoche offered to students in Mandala [Oct/Nov 2006] after seeing the movie "An Inconvenient Truth", and are happy that we found a local organization in the Monterey Bay Area that supports businesses in taking this important step towards cherishing others.