The Central Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam has sent a letter urging Buddhists to eliminate the burning of votive papers at Buddhist worship places. The Organization Steering Committee for the first Full Moon Festival in the province have monitored, warned this in order to bring satisfaction to visitors when choosing Binh Duong for pilgrimage.
Say no to burning votive papers
On 27 and 28 Jan (12th and 13th lunar January), we were at Ong Temple, Ba Pagoda in Phu Cuong ward, TDM City to check, the burning and selling of votive papers in front of the two pagodas was very restricted. At Ba Lai Thieu Temple, types of votive papers, such as clothes, gold, money... were also very few. However, there were still some guests carrying votive papers to worship and burn in temples.
Pilgrims are pleased when coming to Binh Duong Ba Pagoda Festival.
The burning of votive papers at pagodas, temples under provincial Buddhist Sangha did absolutely not take place. This result was the efforts of the Steering Committee as well as managing committee of temples and shrines in the province. The Steering Committee dispatched inspection teams, gave warning when detecting the selling, burning of too much votive papers; persuaded pilgrims to bring only incense, not votive papers into temples area to burn as in previous years. In the coming time, the Steering Committee will tighten the trading of votive papers in front of pagodas, shrines, and encourage heads of pagodas, shrines to hang announcement of not burning votive papers and not to arrange area for burning votive papers.
Le Thi Ngoc, from Dong Nai Province, said that in previous years, when coming this festival inn Binh Duong, she found many people bought and burn votive papers , causing environmental pollution. But this year, this has been constrained. In her opinions, the money amount spend on buying votive papers should be offered to pagodas, temples for doing charity works, this will be more practical and meaningful. The important thing of Buddhists is the mind, the heart.
To bring satisfaction to visitors
Referring to the first Full Moon Festival in Binh Duong, many visitors appreciated the preparation at the festival and were satisfied when coming here. Le Van Nu, a pilgrim from Ho Chi Minh City, said that in the beginning of the new year, his family often went on pilgrimage at Ba Tay Ninh, Ba Chau Doc, Ba Binh Duong Pagoda. Every place has specific preparation and culture. Particularly, in Binh Duong, his family was very happy, when they had free meals, drinking water, got free car patches and be supported enthusiastically in case of trouble. Therefore, the first destination of his family is always Binh Duong.
In order to heighten the "satisfaction" level of visitors to the festival, the Steering Committee has strived to minimize limitations during the holiday season. For example, functional agencies and forces of TDM City has increased inspection on parking fees from now until the end of the festival.
Buddhist animal release was also decreased, due to regular inspection. Particularly, at Thien Hau Pagoda (Phu Cuong Ward), this year, there were no sellers of caught birds like every year. At Chau Thoi Mountain last year, there were 5 to 10 sellers of caught birds, but this year there are only 1 - 2 sellers but not public.
Hopefully, the efforts of the Steering Committee, managing committee of temples, pagodas will bring satisfaction to visitors when coming to Binh Duong from now until the end of Full Moon Festival.
Reported by Thien Ly – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
