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EvelynReynolds96

Under the trend of commercialization, how do Shanghai's temples make money?

In fact, the commercialization of temples is not only common but also has a long history. During the Tang and Song dynasties, temples not only engaged in business but also provided loans. The principal lent out was called 'merit', and the interest collected was called 'blessing', which is akin to the current practice of calling entrance tickets 'incense vouchers'. After all, monks are both renunciants and members of society, and temples are both transcendent and worldly. Therefore, I think as long as it conforms to the rules of secular society, the commercialization of temples is not objectionable. So, what are the revenue streams for temples in today's economically developed Shanghai? 1. Entrance tickets. For example, Baoshan Temple and Jing'an Temple charge 20 yuan and 50 yuan per ticket, respectively. However, it is worth mentioning that there are also many temples in Shanghai that do not charge entrance fees, such as Jade Buddha Temple, Cao Wang Zen Temple, Fahua Zen Temple, Baoguo Temple, Huilong Temple, and so on; 2. Incense and dining. For example, Longhua Temple can be entered for free, but if you want to offer incense, you have to pay. Normally it's about ten to twenty yuan, and the amount adjusts flexibly during major festivals. The temple's vegetarian noodles are also very famous, with stories of Christians going through the trouble of taking multiple subway rides just to try them. It costs 15 yuan per serving with unlimited refills, and you pay after eating; 3. Cultural and creative products and short video sales. For example, Jing'an Temple has tens of thousands of followers on a leading platform and even runs a shop there selling products, although without a real person appearing on camera. Compared to some other famous ancient temples in China, its follower count is slightly lower; 4. Group business operations. This refers to temples establishing a business group that spans culture, tourism, food, education, and other fields through investment or company formation. It's clear that only the most prominent and profitable temples have the strength to do this; 5. Merit boxes, religious services, offerings, donations, land leasing, etc. These are quite common, so I won't go into detail. What do you think about the commercialization of temples? Is there anything you would like to add?
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Posted: Apr 9, 2024
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