Submit a comment
With the concept of "the afterlife is like the present life", on every holiday or Tet, many people burn votive paper excessively, not following the rules.
In recent years, many well-off families have prepared everything for the deceased, from money, clothes to houses, cars, phones... made of paper. The amount depends on the family's circumstances; some families burn a little, some burn a lot. Many families consider this an act of showing respect to the deceased, the gods of wealth, the land gods, and the land gods who have protected and looked after the home for the homeowner...
Recently, public opinion has been stirred up by the story of burning a lot of votive paper money at Tranh Temple, Dong Tam Commune (Ninh Giang) for a long time.
It can be said that the burning of votive paper is quite common in most families and has become ingrained in the Vietnamese people's beliefs. According to information from VOV online newspaper, every year, it is estimated that Vietnamese people burn about 60,000 tons of votive paper, equivalent to 5,800 billion VND. This is a very large number.
According to Resolution No. 64/NQ-HDND dated November 6, 2023 of the People's Council of Hai Duong province on supporting funding for the construction of classrooms in public preschools, primary schools and secondary schools in the province in the period of 2023 - 2025, for primary schools, the provincial budget supports 100% of the average unit price of 1 classroom, which is 650 million VND, then the above amount can build 8,923 classrooms. If calculating the construction of social housing according to the estimated level of Ta Quang Buu apartment complex, Binh Han ward (Hai Duong city), it will be possible to build nearly 20 apartment complexes with 390 rooms, with an area of 45-60 m2.2/room.
Not only is it a waste of money, burning votive paper also pollutes the environment with smoke and dust. Even the production, sale, and use of votive paper have led to fires that have burned down houses, killed people, and caused immeasurable damage.
The law has provisions on burning votive paper. According to Point a, Clause 1, Article 14, Decree 38/2021/ND-CP dated March 29, 2021 of the Government stipulating administrative sanctions in the field of culture and advertising, those who burn votive paper or burn incense in violation of regulations at festivals will be warned or fined from 200,000 to 500,000 VND. Clause 5, Article 2, Appendix 1 issued with Circular 2/2016/TT-BXD strictly prohibits the act of burning votive paper or lighting fires in apartment buildings, except for locations where votive paper is allowed to be burned according to the regulations of the building management board. Those who burn votive paper and cause fires may be criminally prosecuted according to the provisions of Article 180 and Article 313 of the Penal Code.
On January 30, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 11/CD-TTg on ensuring a civilized, safe, and economical lifestyle in religious and belief activities during the Giap Thin New Year and the 2024 Spring Festival. The Prime Minister requested to strengthen state management, to prevent widespread burning of votive offerings and votive paper, causing waste or in the wrong place at religious and belief establishments...
To show respect, protect the environment and not violate regulations, first of all, people need to change their awareness, reduce the amount of votive paper each time they burn it and only buy traditional things like gold coins... there is no need to buy all the same items as ordinary people. When burning, it is necessary to pay attention to fire and explosion safety measures and environmental protection. Worship facilities, communal houses, pagodas, relics... need to step up propaganda so that people have the right awareness and strictly follow the regulations on burning votive paper, and gradually encourage people not to use votive paper but only burn incense to show respect.
THANH HA
