The pagoda is a place for Buddhists to practice religion and has existed for many years throughout the country's history. For a temple to operate, it must have funding, and offerings are an important source. The temple has money to take care of Buddhist affairs, and some places even support lonely elderly people, sick people, and orphans. Without money, they cannot take good care of them.
Therefore, it must be affirmed that making offerings is normal and necessary.
But if you abuse offerings and call on Buddhists to contribute a lot of money to build big temples and statues to serve personal interests, it is no longer correct. If you use donation money not for the purpose of religious activities, Buddhist work or charity, but for the benefit of one person or group of people, then it is taking advantage of offerings for personal gain.
Going to the temple to make offerings or making offerings online is also good because of sincerity, but spreading superstition, selling gods and selling saints, and luring others to spend money is unjust, unjust, and illegal.
In the article " Online offerings, the thin line between belief and profiteering " on July 16, Lao Dong Newspaper analyzed that how much money to donate depends on each person's sincerity, there is no way to spend money to buy peace. Peace and luck. If you spend a lot of money, you will have more peace and luck.
In the Communiqué of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha related to activities on the occasion of the Great Vu Lan Festival, there are many things worth thinking and doing, including a call for Buddhists to actively participate in "Giving gratitude" activities. "Visit and give gifts to people who have contributed to the country, heroic Vietnamese mothers, wounded and sick soldiers, and families of martyrs in the area." Organize a mass requiem ceremony, light candles to commemorate and pay tribute to fallen heroes and martyrs at cemeteries.
Please understand that spending time, money, and materials to do the above things is also an offering, money, and help to those in need who need care and help.
Donating money is not for the temple to buy birds to cage and then release, called release, but to spend money to do things to protect the environment and create green space for the homeland and country. That's also one way.
Recently, Dieu Phap Pagoda (Ward 13, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) has encouraged Buddhists not to release fish or birds; Do not donate red books, property, money, etc. just donate trees for the first afforestation in 2024 in Cat Tien, Dong Nai.
An offering initiative that is so good, so meaningful, worth considering for many other temples. And through that, Buddhists think more deeply when deciding to make offerings.
