Yesterday, I took a brisk walk through the Vesak @ Orchard food fair. To my great disappointment, the organisation was using the usual non eco-friendly to package food. I remember vividly that wasn’t the case for last year, when biodegradable and recyclable packaging was used, while the packaging was designed with reasons why going vegetarian is crucial in saving the environment and for bettering everyone’s well-being.
I still keep the box that I used to buy food. Well, it’s washable, microwaveable and reusable. I was puzzled by the inconsistency of the organisation. Imagine a vegetarian food fair with no presence of Vegetarian Society to further advocate the importance of eating right. Using ungreen packaging adds salt to the wound. Advocating green causes (dietically and as way of life) this way is like cutting down a dozen trees before planting a tree?
If the organisation has the right vision, they could convince more on the importance of going vegetarian in this era of freaky weather, on why going vegetarian also saves the environment. Although ‘Help us cut down garbage & save the earth! Bring your own reusable bags, food containers & cutlery.’ was stated in publicity posters. But let’s face the truth – how many Singaporeans are going to do that? Personally, I would do what Ikea would do, charge for any plastic bag, container & cutlery needed. If not people would just take things for granted again.
It’s time we say no to styrofoam, plastic packaging and splintery wooden chopsticks. Even if the green boxes cost a bit, what is the greater price of costing the Earth? If we do not voice our concerns and if the organisation is not far-sighted enough to actualise them, who is going to save Mother Earth? Aliens from outer space?
A poem “Call Us by Our True Names” featured at the bottom of the green box:
The last time you ordered me for dinner,
you forgot my true name.I am not some nugget.
Please call me by my true name –
I am “Chicken”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.I am not some roast.
Please call me by my true name –
I am “Pig”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.The last time you ordered me for dinner,
you forgot my true name.I am not some fillet.
Please call me by my true name –
I am “Fish”.
I wish you saw how lovable I was.
You might have given me a personal name too.
Please remember I was killed unhappily,
even as you eat me happily.
For I loved my life, just as you love yours.Before you order me for dinner next time,
please remember my true name.
Six reasons listed on the green box for going vegetarian:
Go Veg: B’cos a balanced vegetarian diet leads to a healthier and longer life.
Go Veg: B’cos trapped animals lead short fearful lives before painful slaughter.
Go Veg: B’cos 1/3 of all grain breed farm animals while the poor starve.
Go Veg: B’cos meat production causes 18% of greenhouse gases and wastes resources.
Go Veg: B’cos wars are karmically linked to hatred from much killing of animals.
Go Veg: B’cos all animals have been reborn as our kin in previous lives.
Most Buddhist fairs are accompanied with vegetarian food fairs, in a matter of fact way (mainly to raise money). The truly worthy reason why Buddhism advocates vegetarianism is very little known to the public. A fair should be both functional and educational at the same time. If setting up a fair is just to earn some dough, I think it’s pretty sad.
I think the reason why Vegetarian Society was not there is due to it being a non-religious society, it prefer to stay away from any religious fair. I posted info about the food fair in Vegetarian Society Singapore (VSS) forum but I think not much people from VSS came.
The organiser could better promote the food fair by including the names of the stalls participating in the fair in the promotion material. Maybe for the next year fair, the organiser could invite VSS to take part in the fair as well or include a team there to explain the reason behind vegetarianism for Buddhist. Any idea how to give feedback to the organiser of Vesak@Orchard? (FYI I was a volunteer at Vesak@Orchard) 🙂
VSS was there for one year’s Vesak. Maybe SBF forgot to invite them or decided not to. VSS is open to participating in any religion’s fairs, as long as they are not seen as promoting any particular religion. VSS will be holding an educational exhibition in Kong Meng San’s Dharma Hall from Vesak Eve to Vesak Day. (Location shifted)
Hey Ed, since you volunteered at Orchard, maybe you can share your suggestion on stall marketing to SBF via your volunteer leader? ^_^
Hi. I used to be a Buddhist. I related to the above poem, remembered fondly fellow Buddhists, hope I can join inspite of my lack of faith in the concept of a God who has an interest in any of us, human and non-human.