However, in recent years, the burning of votive paper has become a way of "bribing" the afterlife, disregarding the "waste of money and resources," ignoring environmental pollution, and burning votive paper in inappropriate places, leading to fires and explosions.
The period leading up to and during Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time when it is very difficult to control the burning of votive paper. At places of worship, historical and cultural sites, etc., people bring and burn votive paper in a wide variety of forms - from inexpensive to high-end, from "gold and silver, underworld clothing" to polymer banknotes for the afterlife, iPhones, televisions, refrigerators, houses, cars, airplanes...
Illustrative image.
Some families even burn effigies of maidens to send to the underworld or hell. It's unknown whether their ancestors and lineage will receive the "sincere devotion" of their descendants, but the clean air and environmental resources have already been destroyed.
Venerable Thich Hue Minh, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Association in Binh Chanh District (Ho Chi Minh City), stated that the practice of burning votive paper is not part of Buddhist activities and advised people visiting temples to burn only one incense stick to contribute to environmental protection. The Venerable added that burning many incense sticks is not necessary to show sincerity.
From a legal perspective, according to point a, clause 1, Article 14 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP, the law does not prohibit the act of burning votive paper; however, if votive paper is burned in an unauthorized place, or even causes a fire, it will be dealt with according to the law.
So, where can one burn votive paper without it being prohibited? If burning votive paper causes a fire, what kind of punishment will the person doing it face?
In reality, fire safety laws do not yet have specific regulations regarding the location for burning votive paper. However, individuals are responsible for ensuring fire safety during the use of fire sources, heat sources, equipment, and tools that generate fire or heat, as well as during the storage and use of flammable materials.
According to lawyer Quách Thành Lực, director of Pháp Trị Law Firm, Hanoi Bar Association, Clause 5, Article 2 of Appendix 1 issued with Circular 02/2016/TT-BXD strictly prohibits the burning of votive paper and lighting fires inside apartment buildings, except in designated areas where burning votive paper is permitted within the apartment building.
Those who burn votive paper and cause fires may be subject to administrative penalties depending on their actions and the extent of the damage.
Specifically, a warning or a fine ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 VND will be imposed as stipulated in point a, clause 1, Article 14 of Government Decree 38/2021/ND-CP dated March 29, 2021, regulating administrative sanctions in the fields of culture and advertising.
Or be subject to penalties under Articles 50 and 51 of Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP dated December 31, 2021, which stipulates administrative penalties for violations in the fields of security, order, social safety; prevention and control of social evils; fire prevention and fighting; rescue and relief; and prevention and control of domestic violence.
In addition, those who burn votive paper and cause fires may be subject to criminal prosecution under Articles 180 and 313 of the Penal Code.
Excessive burning of votive paper money is wasteful, and no deity will bestow blessings upon those who do not appreciate money. Therefore, those who are accustomed to this custom should reduce the amount of votive paper money burned, and ideally, one day we should stop burning it altogether. When visiting temples and shrines for worship, one should maintain a peaceful state of mind and strive to practice their faith in a civilized and modern way.
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