Hai Duong people no longer rush to buy votive paper during the "ghost month"

On the morning of August 13 (the 10th day of the 7th lunar month), many shops selling worship items in Hai Duong City were deserted, with only occasional customers stopping by to buy votive paper, but the quantity was small. Ms. Truong Thi Thanh Thuy, owner of Thuy Hung worship item shop at 67 Chi Lang Street (Hai Duong City) said: "In nearly 10 years of selling, I have never seen such few customers during the ghost month as this year. Around this time last year, people flocked to buy goods, but this year, there were only 20 customers at most throughout the day."

Also in Hai Duong City, the Phuong Thao paper votive shop at 414 Dien Bien Phu Street has also been deserted in recent days. Items for the “dead” have piled up in the house but have not been sold. Ms. Chu Thi Phuong, the owner of this shop, said: “Sales are the slowest in many years. During the Vu Lan season, there are days when there are only 5-7 customers.”

According to the investigation of a group of reporters from Hai Duong Newspaper, many shops selling votive offerings in Tu Ky, Gia Loc, and Kim Thanh districts are in a similar situation.

A significant number of people have changed their awareness and consciousness in worshiping their ancestors during Vu Lan season in a healthy and economical way. A woman around 50 years old left a votive paper shop on Chi Lang Street (Hai Duong City) with only 2 pieces of money in her hand and said: "I watched TV several times and heard monks say that burning a lot of votive paper is wasteful and meaningless, so this year I won't buy much anymore but only buy a little to show my sincerity. The important thing is that we always remember the merits of our ancestors, grandparents, and parents on this occasion."

Some people living in crowded residential areas with cramped houses are even more concerned that burning a lot of votive paper will increase the risk of fire. Some young couples who have moved out said they do not buy votive paper but only buy fruits, candies, and display real money on the offering tray to burn incense to their ancestors. The real money after "lowering the offering" will be used to buy offerings during the following full moon and first day of the lunar month or for charity. This still preserves the traditional cultural beauty of the Vu Lan season of filial piety, practicing thrift...

Speaking to reporters, Venerable Thich Thanh Van, Head of the Executive Committee of the Buddhist Sangha of Hai Duong province, said that for many years, pagodas in the province have actively promoted and encouraged people and Buddhists not to burn a lot of votive paper during the Vu Lan season of filial piety. Most pagodas have informed people not to bring money, votive paper, or votive paper when coming to the pagoda to worship.

The awareness and consciousness of a significant number of people have changed positively. Instead of buying a lot of votive paper to go to the temple to worship, most Buddhists only buy fresh flowers, fruits, candies, vegetarian dishes... Only a few people bring votive paper but only 1-2 small bundles. Many families no longer buy bundles of incense sticks but only buy a few boxes of incense coils and scented water to bring to the temple for monks to worship Buddha, hold ceremonies to pray for peace and salvation for the souls of the deceased...