The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the lifestyle of almost everyone. Recently, groups advocating the concept of “Danshari” have emerged on social media. One group, established on Facebook in February this year, has attracted more than 37,000 followers within a year. According to Nanyang Siang Pau , the founder of “Danshari (Malaysia)” was inspired by Hideko Yamashita’s book “Dan-Sha-Ri”, and wanted to share this concept. The Danshari concept has changed the lives of millions of people. Danshari leads one to focus on “self” instead of “objects”, and to think about things that “are most suitable for one now”, “make one happiest and are used most frequently”. Items that do not fit the criteria above are then eliminated or given away. Danshari does not advocate living a poor life but instead, adding values to one’s life by way of “reduction”. Hideko Yamashita once said that decluttering physical objects is actually a way to declutter the mind and make one happy. To put it simply, tidying up things will lead one to be more aware of one’s own time and state of mind. Hideko Yamashita’s Danshari concept was inspired by her experience boarding in a temple. She found that the monastic way of life in cherishing necessities and cleaning up every corner, and creating a refreshing space, is completely different from a hotel. In addition, she drew on the yoga philosophy “to cut off, to abandon, and to leave”, which she had been practising. It was to cut off desires and let go of attachments. Both Danshari and Minimalism seek to return to the inner soul, having experienced a life with abundant materials. Both lead us to think about what we need and how to implement them. Some similarities are having more space, being environmentally-friendly, being happier, while leading a meaningful life. Let us learn from organizing consultant Lim Kai En, clinical psychologist Lee Voon Yee, and minimalist practitioner Fong Yee Leong, on how to improve our life quality by way of reduction, frommaterial to psychological aspects. Decluttering–The Art of Living Minimalism VS. Danshari TZU CHI 129 07