India, July 18 -- With the ongoing hunger strike of Sonam Wangchuk, many people are revisiting the values that have shaped his work over the years. The engineer, education reformer and climate activist is known for speaking about sustainable living, community welfare and protecting the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. While Wangchuk does not describe himself as a Buddhist teacher, many of the principles reflected in his work closely resemble ideas found in Buddhist philosophy.

Here are five life lessons inspired by his public life that echo timeless Buddhist teachings.

One of Wangchuk's strongest messages has been the importance of protecting nature, especially the fragile environment of Ladakh. His innovations, such as artificial glaciers ...