Buddhist youths spread green message during Vesak -- by Poh Yong Hui (poh.yonghui@gmail.com)

“Being green is not exactly a Singaporean thing!¡± quips Low Cheng Hyork, 20, full-time NSF and first-time volunteer at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery.

In view of that, the monastery’s Youth Ministry launched Green Initiative, a series of overnight activities every Vesak to educate temple-goers on caring for the environment.

According to one of the young organisers, Lee Sea Ming, 22, 80% of the volunteers for GI are youngsters. She adds, “The Youth Ministry hopes that GI will serve as a platform for youths to learn about hands-on events that apply Buddhist teachings and spark off their interest in volunteering. It is also a great chance to bring them closer to the Dharma!¡± What, then, is the main reason for their enthusiasm in volunteering? She answers, ¡°Other than wanting to join in the fun, they want to do something meaningful in return as they have benefitted from the Dharma.¡± What about Cheng Hyork¡¯s take on it? He says, “I am actually quite an environmentalist and I thought that it was a good chance for me to bring myself to a higher level, as I could then spread the good message around to more people. It is also more meaningful since it was held on Vesak Day!¡± Indeed, environmentalism is closely related to Buddhist teachings. Sea Ming explains, ¡°That¡¯s because caring for Mother Earth is showing compassion to all sentient beings!¡± An uphill task

Though a first-time volunteer, Cheng Hyork was not spared from the difficult tasks. With two other youth volunteers, he set up a makeshift booth outside the Dining Hall, where big crowds gathered. And there, he showed the public things that are recyclable and things that are not.

“Admittedly, educating people on recycling is really an uphill task. So, if we had been able to convince a handful of people on recycling and increased general awareness, I¡¯ll be more than glad!¡± Apparently, temple-goers had different reactions to the youths¡¯ bid to create awareness on recycling: “Some people did come over to answer their curiosity, but there were many people who just took a glance and walked away.¡±

Towards a greater cause

Despite the difficulties faced in getting their message across, the youth volunteers worked with a gung-ho spirit. Leaving no stone unturned, they approached temple-goers of all ages with a friendly smile and reached out to them with sincerity.

Many ¡°uncles¡± and ¡°aunties¡±, attracted to these three young men with two

boxes of ¡°rubbish¡±, came over to check them out. Some were taken aback by the fact that paper cups that held sugared water could no longer be recycled!

Through this informal exchange of recycling tips, it is hoped that temple-goers will be more conscious of the environment.

Many may be baffled as to why they could still persevere despite the lukewarm response from the public. Cheng Hyork explains, “Even if recycling has not become a part of their lifestyles, I think, we were successful in raising awareness about recycling. That would already be a worthwhile first step towards a greater cause.¡± Will Cheng Hyork volunteer again for Buddhist events? ¡°Yes, definitely! Buddhist events, like this one, are meaningful and not only does it benefit the people around me, it also serves to make me a more mature and reflective person.¡±

GI is only one of the Youth Ministry¡¯s many programmes for youths. To find out more about Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery Youth Ministry, go to www.kmspks.org/youth or email youth@kmspks.org

The writer is a 20-year-old mass communications undergraduate at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). She is also an alumna of the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Youth Ministry internship programme.

Enthusiastic youth volunteers Boon Kian (left) and Cheng Hyork showing temple-goers what can be recycled and what cannot.

At the Kids Corner, youth volunteer Huifang teaches a boy how to make toys from plastic bottles.

Youth volunteers interacting with

visitors at the Environmental Fair.

A handmade pledging station, where visitors could pledge to cultivate 12 environmentally-friendly habits