The Reincarnation of Waste: A Case Study of Spiritual Ecology Activism for Household Solid Waste Management: The Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative of Rural Bhutan

Abstract

As rural and subsistence households in the Global South take on the consumption habits of industrialized countries, shifting consumption patterns have contributed to cascades of nonbiodegradable solid waste overwhelming the ability of households, municipal authorities, and governments to manage. As global capitalism expands around the world, spiritual ecology approaches to waste and pollution can provide deeper insight into the attitudes and practices that create a “throw away” society. In rural southern Bhutan, the revered Buddhist teacher, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, initiated a waste reduction project based on Bhutan’s guiding development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Through engaging cultural and spiritual values, and drawing on the inspirational qualities of social and spiritual leaders, the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative’s Zero Waste project is an example of spiritual ecology activism for household waste management and waste reduction.

The Effects of Intention and Risk Awareness on Household Waste Management Behavior During Covid-19 Outbreak

“…Previous studies stated that risk awareness relates to several behaviors such as electrical usage, medical treatment, and others (Fukuda et al, 2020;Udoh & Alkharashi, 2017). Meanwhile, knowledge and religion were found out as important factors that affected risk awareness (Abdelradi, 2018;Allison, 2019;Wang et al, 2017) In conclusion, this research aims to examine TPB in the context of household waste management intention and behavior, which also enriches knowledge and religious variables as a predictor of risk awareness. This research divides into some parts: first, an explanation of the research background and several theoretical frameworks; second, a description of research methods; third, data analysis and discussion; and finally, conclusion and further research.…”

“…can affect someone's ability to do a particular action. The firm intention will increase the engagement in household waste management (Allison, 2019;Neff et al, 2015;Park et al, 2002;Udofia et al, 2017;Ulhasanah & Goto, 2018). Based on the previous arguments, the proposed hypothesis is as follows.…”

Har en hund Buddha-natur?

“…I 'Biodiversity Action Plan' var man allerede i 1990erne bevidste om at prioritere baeredygtighedsprincipper politisk, herunder med understregning af buddhistisk respekt for og interaktion med dyr og planter, med henvisning til at "the mountains, rivers, streams, rocks and soils of Bhutan are believed to be the domain of spirits." 11 Med udgangspunkt i disse er flere statslige og private buddhistisk orienterede baeredygtighedsinitiativer igangsat, herunder affaldsreduktion og -håndtering (Allison 2019).…”

Spiritual Dimensions in Leadership: A Comparative Analysis of Polish and Bhutanese Managers

“…28,29 Bhutan's constitution with Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion "promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance", as the "spiritual heritage" of Bhutan. 30 Bhutan as an example of an Asian country with collective culture characterizes by a strong sense of belonging and a spiritual connection with the others. 31 According to the Asian perspective, spirituality is an inborn part of being human and it means a connection with nature and other subjects.…”