Offerings that are too heavy on money can easily turn into profiteering.

Temples are places for Buddhists to practice their religion, and have existed for many years throughout the history of the country. Temples need funding to operate, and donations are an important source. Temples have money to take care of Buddhist affairs, and some places also support the lonely elderly, the sick, and orphans who cannot be well cared for without money.

Therefore, it must be affirmed that offering is normal and necessary.

But if we abuse offerings, calling on Buddhists to contribute a lot of money to build big temples and statues, serving personal interests, then it is no longer right. If we use the offerings not for the right purpose of religious activities, Buddhist affairs or charity, but for the benefit of one person or a group of people, then that is taking advantage of offerings for personal gain.

Going to the temple to make offerings or making offerings online are both good because of sincerity, but spreading superstition, selling gods and saints, and enticing others to spend money is dishonest, unjust, and against the Dharma.

In the article "Online offerings, the fragile boundary between belief and profiteering" on July 16, Lao Dong Newspaper analyzed that how much money is donated depends on each person's sincerity. It is impossible to spend money to buy peace and luck. Spending more money means more peace and luck.

In the Circular of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha regarding the activities on the occasion of Vu Lan Festival, there are many things worth thinking about and doing, including the call for Buddhists to actively participate in the activities of "Repaying gratitude", visiting and giving gifts to those who have contributed to the country, heroic Vietnamese mothers, wounded soldiers, and families of martyrs in the area. Organizing a grand requiem mass, lighting candles in memory and gratitude to heroic martyrs at cemeteries.

Please understand that spending time, money, and materials to do the above things is also an offering, money, and assistance to the needy, those in need of care and help.

Donating money is not for the temple to buy birds to cage and release, but to do things to protect the environment and create green space for the homeland and country. That is also a way.

Recently, Dieu Phap Pagoda (Ward 13, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) has encouraged Buddhists not to release fish or birds; not to offer land use rights certificates, assets, money, etc., but only to offer trees for the first forest planting in 2024 in Cat Tien, Dong Nai .

Such a great and meaningful offering idea, worth for many other temples to refer to. And through it, Buddhists will think more deeply when deciding to make offerings.

Source: https://laodong.vn/su-kien-binh-luan/cung-duong-qua-nang-ve-tien-de-bien-tuong-thanh-truc-loi-1369089.ldo