Blog

For ten years in a row the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple and Buddha’s Light International Association Sydney (BLIA Sydney) in Parramatta have taken part in the Garage Sale Trail. Their annual community market has become a beautiful example of how spiritual practice and sustainability can come together.

We spoke with the temple team about what inspires them to take part, what they enjoy most, and how reuse connects to their Buddhist teachings.

Q. Why does your temple get involved in the Garage Sale Trail?

Our temple participates in the Garage Sale Trail to put the Buddhist values of “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” (環保與心保) into practice.

Fo Guang Shan and BLIA Sydney support respect for life, sustainable practices, and responsible consumption of resources. The Garage Sale Trail is part of our effort to protect and safeguard the Earth and its natural resources.

We believe that reusing and repurposing items extends their life, reduces waste, and helps us cherish resources and blessings (惜福). It’s also an expression of compassion and “protecting life” (護生) towards the Earth and all living beings. Through this national event, we connect spiritual cultivation with everyday environmental action.

Q. What do you enjoy most about being part of the Trail each year?

A. The joy comes from seeing our community come alive. Every year, volunteers, families, and children work side by side — sorting donations, helping visitors, and learning about sustainability together.

Our students from the Nan Tien Chinese School and BLIA Scouts gain hands-on lessons about resource circulation and mindful consumption. Watching them value reuse while practising kindness and teamwork brings true joy to everyone involved.

Our Chinese school also uses the Garage Sale Trail as an opportunity for students to practise speaking Mandarin while they buy and sell pre-loved goods — it’s learning, language, and sustainability all rolled into one.

Q. Why do you think reuse and secondhand are important?

A. Reuse represents both environmental care and inner cultivation. When we give a second life to clothes, toys, or books, we reduce waste and remind ourselves not to take things for granted.

Reuse is a way to “cherish blessings, cherish relationships, and cultivate virtue” (惜福、惜緣、培福). It’s not just about saving the Earth — it’s about nurturing gratitude, compassion, and responsibility for one another and the world we share.

By extending an item’s life, we show respect for those efforts and reduce our environmental footprint. Reuse reflects the Buddhist teachings of moderation and gratitude: we learn to be content with what we have and to share what we don’t need. Every reused item is a small step towards a more mindful and sustainable world.

Q. What would you say to other community groups thinking about joining next year?

A. We warmly encourage other groups to join the Trail. As our experience shows, it’s more than a market — it’s a chance to strengthen community bonds and make sustainability meaningful.

The event aligns beautifully with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12 and 13), promoting responsible consumption and climate action. Start small, involve young people, and let the spirit of sharing lead the way.

Together, we can create both environmental and heartfelt change.

Visit their 2025 sale

You can visit the Fo Guang Shan Temple’s sale and experience their community in action this November.
👉 See their listing on the Garage Sale Trail map.