The Bodhisattva Dharanimdhara–an enlightened being from ancient Buddhist texts—is translated by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh to be the “Bodhisattva Protector of the Earth” or “Earth Holder.” Nhat Hanh goes on to explain:
This Bodhisattva helps further communication between humans and other species… Earth Holder works to preserve this planet for living beings by taking care of the air, water, and soil… We have to take up the practice of Earth Holder Bodhisattva and make protecting and preserving the Earth a top priority… We cannot say that we are too busy to take up this work… We must work to increase awareness of the situation because only mindfulness, awareness of what is happening, can save us from the path of certain disaster we are currently on.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, The World We Have
