Reflections and Habits to Cultivate Blessings
Debunk the Myths about Sustainability

To cultivate blessings, we need to develop good habits in our daily life. Nowadays, although many people have raised their environmental consciousness, are we really protecting the environment? Or have we accidentally become accomplices of greenwashing and guilt-tripping? Let's debunk the myths about sustainability by examining our own actions, and establishing wholesome habits that cultivate blessings.

 
Original Chinese text by editorial team of Humanity Magazine
 
．X Don't: Store a lot of reusable bags and tableware given free by charitable organizations, but rarely use them.
．○ Do: Refuse the temptation of giveaways, and recognize the little demon of greed within us.
 
．X Don't: Buy reusable cups, straws, and tableware in response to plastic reduction policies, but often forget to carry them.
．○ Do: Develop the habit of carrying reusable utensils to avoid waste by repeated purchases.
 
．X Don't: Trust any product labeled "eco-friendly" without considering the waste of resources during its production.
．○ Do: Understand your actual needs and purchase products that comply with the 3E and 3R principles to extend their lifespan.
 
．X Don't: Buy eco-friendly cultural and creative products attracted solely by their design and packaging, while ignoring over-packaging issues and non-eco-friendly packaging materials.
．○ Do: Avoid impulsive shopping and overconsumption.
 
．X Don't: Purchase books and products made out of recycled paper, which may still involve bleach that is harmful to the environment.
．○ Do: The fundamental solution is to reduce paper usage and make full use of existing resources.
 
．X Don't: Donate old clothes but then give in to buying new ones.
．○ Do: Recognize that fast fashion has become a disaster to recycling. Check your wardrobe before making new purchases.
 
．X Don't: Decluttering by donating unused items without considering their suitability for recipients.
．○ Do: Avoid donating unsuitable items or nearly-expired food, as it causes extra effort for the recipients to sort and process.
 
．X Don't: Buy unnecessary charity items out of fear of being seen as uncaring.
．○ Do: Donate money or resources instead of buying such items, or directly support sheltered workshops.
 
．X Don't: Keep pets or adopt stray animals without considering your ability to care for them and the living conditions.
．○ Do: Consider your capacity before adopting pets. Love animals by respecting life and never abandoning them.
 
．X Don't: Share messages or health information online without fact-checking.
．○ Do: Think twice and verify information before forwarding it to avoid spreading rumors.
 
．X Don't: Make donations without verifying the organizations and how the funds will be used.
．○ Do: Besides donating money, consider volunteering your time or participating in community care efforts.
 
Seemingly small habits can lead to resource waste and self-complacency. Therefore, we must be wise while cultivating our blessings!
 
*Note: The 3E stands for Economic, Ecological, and Equitable; the 3R stands for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
 

*Reference:


Related articles:

Happiness Comes as We Cultivate Blessings

Cultivating Merit to Become Blessed

Concepts for Cultivating Meritorious Blessings
The Buddhist Approach to Nurturing Merit and Spirituality

Fu-yan Monastery, founded on the basis of merit cultivation

Reflections and Habits to Cultivate Blessings
Debunk the Myths about Sustainability



Resource: Issue 437 of Humanity Magazine (January 2020), Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Translation: Li Siang-ling
Editing: Keith Brown, Anne (麗萍)