Dharma Drum Singapore

1-Day Camp on Spiritual Environmentalism

“My favourite activity was the one which we had to walk around with a bowl filled to the brim

with water. It made me realize how much mental activity there was in my mind. The ripples

formed in the bowl were not unlike my own turbulent mind!”

“When I was eating the dried raisins, I discovered how deliciously sweet they actually tasted.

I decided that in future when I take my meals, I should also mindfully enjoy the real taste of the

dishes.”

“The activities designed for this camp on Spiritual Environmentalism were lively and interesting.

They had helped me to understand myself better.”
 

The above were comments given by students from the Singapore Nanyang Polytechnic

Buddhist Society.

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning on 28 April 2007 at 10am, a group of young and

energetic students from the Singapore Nanyang Polytechnic Buddhist Society was invited

to attend the 1-day Camp on Spiritual Environmentalism at Dharma Drum Singapore.

The 12 participants were accompanied by their teacher. 8 members from the newly-formed

Dharma Drum Youth Group also joined in the activity.

In order to let the students have an understanding of the concept and value of

Spiritual Environmentalism, the Spiritual Environmentalism Group had specially designed

and arranged for them a series of lively and interesting games and activities, through which they

could learn more about themselves, develop and uplift themselves, as well as learn to

cultivate “selflessness”.

The camp started with a video shown on Master Sheng Yen’s talk on Spiritual

Environmentalism. Master Sheng Yen explained that the meaning of Spiritual Environmentalism

was to wish for oneself to be healthy, safe and happy, at the same time enabling others to be

healthy, safe and happy, and lastly to wish for everyone in the world to also be healthy, safe and

happy!

For the next activity, the participants were asked to walk freely about the premises while listening

to the soothing music played. They were encouraged to greet and smile at one another and to

pull at each other’s ear and nose. The activity was aimed at helping them build up a rapport,

bridging the distance between them, as well as letting them get in touch with their own feelings.

Another activity was getting the participants to each carry a bowl filled to the brim with water and

to walk in a circle in the car park without spilling the water in the bowl. The game

facilitators deliberately tried to distract the participants to test their awareness of their own

mental activity and challenge them to experience the feeling of living in the present.

For the following activity, dried raisins were given out to the participants. They were asked to chew

the raisins for 5 minutes and then to describe how they felt. While carefully chewing the raisins,

the participants deeply experienced for themselves the happiness that came from inner

contentment and a lack of desires.

What was characteristic about the activities was the integration of Zen into everyday life. The

young participants were able to relax and enjoy the activities, at the same time learn how to

stay focused and calm in the midst of all the action.

The participants learnt that by greeting people they had encountered with a “I wish you are well!”,

they could gain their friendship and a sense of well-being. Offering their friendship and extending

a helping hand to others would see them radiating vibes of harmony and peace. The

young participants were full of vitality and filled with anticipation and wonderful hopes for the

future.

Dharma Drum Singapore’s 1-day Camp on Spiritual Environmentalism had deepened

the participants’ faith in the Dharma, increased their support for the Triple Gem and gained

their understanding of the mission of Dharma Drum. They were also able to share with one

another stories of personal happiness and growth!