International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), one of the world’s largest annual events supported by 6 million volunteers in 90 countries, is scheduled for September 19, 2020.
Buddhism has always placed great value on respecting and protecting the lives of all beings. As members of the global village, Hsi Lai Temple volunteers will gather together---around the third Saturday of September---upon a local beach. Together, we will warm up with a few early morning stretches, and then mindfully jump into action combing the sands and collecting debris to clean, preserve and protect the beaches, ocean, coastal birds, and marine life. Following beach clean-up, a well-deserved, delicious potluck luncheon will be shared.
Last year, worldwide, the most collected items were cigarette butts, plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, and straws. As we know, plastics are not biodegradable. They are detrimental to our ecosystem and the well-being of all marine wildlife. Marine life affects the nature of our planet, which affects us! Our good actions and intentions help to preserve the external environment and, simultaneously, help to purify our own minds--making both more beautiful and healthier!