Why Did the Buddhist Temples That Followed Buddha's Teachings Decline?

Two Buddhist temples, A and B, established in the same urban area in the 1980s, have experienced dramatically different fortunes over the past four decades. Temple B has since grown into a large, prominent local temple, hosting significant events and attracting a large congregation. In stark contrast, Temple A continues to operate from a single rented floor in a building, facing declining membership as older followers can no longer attend and struggling to attract new ones. The financial strain is considerable, with monthly rent exceeding 10 million won, prompting consideration of relocation.

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A temple that strictly followed the teachings of Buddha did not offer special treatment for large donations.

The divergence in their paths is attributed to their differing treatment of major donors. Temple A, adhering strictly to Buddhist teachings, treated all followers equally, regardless of donation size. It did not offer special recognition or privileges to those who made substantial contributions, believing that pride in wealth hinders enlightenment. This approach, while doctrinally sound, failed to incentivize continued generosity.

Temple B, however, adopted a different strategy. It publicly acknowledged and praised individuals who made large donations, often inviting them to special events and suggesting they would receive blessings. This special treatment, while perhaps deviating from strict Buddhist egalitarianism, created a positive feedback loop. Donors felt appreciated and were motivated to contribute again, leading to a steady stream of significant donations that funded Temple B's expansion into the large complex it is today.

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In Buddhism, it is not important whether you donate a lot or a little money; what matters is how much you give from what you have.

The article suggests that while Temple A's approach aligns more closely with the spiritual ideals of Buddhism, Temple B's pragmatic, albeit less egalitarian, method proved more effective in securing the financial resources needed for growth and sustainability in the modern era. The disparity is now so significant that few outside the immediate vicinity are even aware of Temple A's existence, while Temple B is a well-known local landmark.

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The temple that received large donations from followers, however, had a different situation.