Temple-going civilization has changed positively, but is worshiping and praying excessive?

Nom Pagoda (Hung Yen) on the 6th day of the first lunar month of Giap Thin year - Photo: CK

Compared to past years, this year the culture of going to the temple has had positive changes.

This proves that the efforts of the cultural sector and localities in rectifying the culture of going to temples at the beginning of the year have really achieved good results.

Activities such as propaganda, raising awareness of the meaning and value of festivals, civility in participating in festival activities, at relics, or issuing legal documents or implementing criteria on cultural environment in festivals, along with regular inspection, examination and punishment have really impacted and changed the behavior of going to festivals at the beginning of the year.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son

However, we do not always see such positive changes everywhere. There are still phenomena of chaos, superstition, spiritual profiteering and other uncivilized behaviors in the activities of going to the temple at the beginning of the year.

Therefore, to make going to the temple at the beginning of the year a good habit, a civilized action, in my opinion, we need to focus on better propaganda with rich content, attractive forms, on many different media, both at relics and online, so that people and tourists clearly understand the meaning and value of going to the temple as well as how to practice cultural behavior appropriate to the space of belief and religion.

It is necessary to further specify state management documents to suit the characteristics of each festival and relic. Decrees, circulars, and official dispatches need to be specified into appropriate rules and regulations.

And strengthen inspection, examination and punishment of violations. This helps to increase the effectiveness of management documents, serving as an example for other locations.

It is also necessary to further strengthen the role of communities in organizing and managing festivals and relics so that they can better fulfill their duties as cultural subjects.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hoai Son (standing member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education)

Quan Thanh Temple on the morning of the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year - Photo: CK

Worship and prayer are overdone.

In the Buddha's teachings, it is very clear that life operates according to the law of cause and effect. Doing good will bring good results and doing evil will bring bad results. You cannot ask Buddha to give you anything.

But the long-standing custom of our country is that farmers are busy in the fields all year round, only on special occasions, especially the New Year, do the elders go to pray.

Researcher Tran Dinh Son

The common psychology of people wanting a lucky new year is that they pray to the sacred beings, including Buddha, sending their prayers to them as a good wish at the beginning of the new year.

There is nothing wrong with that, it is also a cultural beauty. But nowadays, worshiping and praying in many places is excessive, taking on a superstitious color when burning too much votive paper, jostling and rolling around to pray, which is not in accordance with any religion.

Some of the dignitaries in the temple have learned the true teachings and do not indulge in superstition, but others do things that Buddha did not teach, which makes superstitious worship even more prevalent.

The worst thing about worshiping today is that not only farmers and workers go to pray, but also officials, students and pupils go to pray.

It is very necessary to have good guidance from school to family and society so that people can practice religion and beliefs correctly.

Excessive burning of votive paper needs to be managed by the government, not just relying on reminders from churches and pagodas.

There was a time when society abandoned the custom of burning votive paper, but now this custom is developing more strongly than before, throughout the South and the North. In the past 30 years or so, the practice of spirit mediums, fortune telling, offerings, and burning votive paper... has become increasingly serious.

Researcher Tran Dinh Son

Going to the temple must be from the heart

For a long time, my husband and I have been accustomed to paying attention and visiting the temple wherever we go on tour. Recently, the opportunity has come for us to take refuge. Whenever the monks at the temple call us, we always arrange our work to sing for the temple.

We often sing for free or the monk gives us as much as he likes, but we never ask for anything in return. For us, going to the temple makes our hearts pure and calm. The anger and worries in life seem to be released.

Actually, I don't ask for anything. Going to the temple is from the heart, listening to good lectures, good Buddhist philosophy to improve myself, to live a more virtuous life. Going to the temple brings peace of mind, which is a very good thing in today's hurried life, what else do I ask for?

People say that temples and monks are now mixed with real and fake. I think that I have to observe, learn and realize for myself. I respect good monks, and ignore those I don't trust.

Cai luong artist couple Le Tu - Ha Nhu

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/van-minh-di-chua-thay-doi-tich-cuc-nhung-viec-le-bai-cau-xin-bi-qua-da-20240223101228662.htm