During the Seventh Lunar Month, often celebrated as the Auspicious Month, communities in Indonesia took practical steps toward personal wellness and compassion by bringing plant-based nutrition into daily life. Through live culinary demonstrations and organized meal-ordering programs, local volunteers encouraged residents to explore vegetarian options, demonstrating how plant-based dining can be accessible, nourishing, and deeply meaningful.
Simple culinary techniques for daily meals
On August 5, 2026, volunteers in Tangerang gathered at the Medang Recycling Depot to host a live vegetarian cooking demonstration. Volunteer Gunawan Kentjana (康建成) opened the session by explaining how dietary choices connect to environmental mindfulness and respect for life.
LEFT: Volunteers in Tangerang demonstrated two dishes: vegetarian poached chicken made from king oyster mushrooms and pickled cabbage tofu. RIGHT: Volunteer Gunawan Kentjana shared the core philosophy of Tzu Chi. | Photos: Shellen Setiawan
The workshop gave participants practical insights into expanding their home menus. Volunteer Rio Rita, who previously cooked only simple vegetarian dishes, felt inspired by the demonstration. "I hope those who haven't tried vegetarian food yet can also start giving it a try," Rio said.
For Prigina, another volunteer who began incorporating tofu, tempeh, fresh vegetables, and mushrooms into her meals after purchasing a cookbook at a Jing Si Books & Cafe, the transition to plant-based eating is best approached step by step.
You can start by going vegetarian at least one day a week and gradually increase from there. When we consciously refrain from eating living beings for a whole day, our hearts feel much happier. — Prigina, Volunteer
Community mobilization across faiths
In Selatpanjang, a parallel initiative brought neighbors together through a 10-day vegetarian meal delivery service held from August 14 to 23. Each day, between 20 and 25 volunteers coordinated logistics, prepared ingredients, cooked meals, and packed lunch boxes for community members.
The effort received strong support from the local Vihara Buddha Dharma temple. Devotees provided financial contributions for two consecutive days and opened the temple's kitchen facilities to support meal production. The initiative aimed to promote positive values during the Auspicious Month, focusing on gratitude, filial respect, and kindness toward all living beings.
LEFT: From August 14 to 23, 2026, volunteers in Selatpanjang organized a 10-day vegetarian meal ordering campaign. RIGHT: About 20 to 25 volunteers prepared, cooked, and packed meals daily. | Photos: Candera Zhang
The effort also drew participation from residents of diverse cultural backgrounds. Venty Nasrul, a Muslim volunteer who first joined community activities in 2023 after accompanying her child to parent-child classes, took on a leadership role in the kitchen team and challenged herself to eat vegetarian for 15 days.
"The biggest challenge is controlling the desire to eat meat," Venty said. While adjusting required conscious effort at first, she noticed her body felt lighter and developed a deeper mindfulness toward animal welfare.
LEFT: Venty Nasrul (right) took charge of the kitchen team and challenged herself to eat vegetarian for 15 days. | Photo: Candera Zhang RIGHT: The menu for the 10-day vegetarian meal ordering campaign in Selatpanjang, held from August 14 to 23, 2026. | Photo: Roziyatul Halipah
From learning a new recipe in a neighborhood workshop to preparing daily plant-based lunches, small choices are helping foster a culture of health and compassion across Indonesian communities. By making vegetarian dining approachable and enjoyable, these initiatives show how simple kitchen habits can nourish both individuals and their broader surroundings.
Written by Shellen Setiawan (趙泰漁), Candera Zhang (張和德)
