The trend of "going to temple online" with the actions of worshiping Buddha, chanting sutras, and accumulating merit points on the screen is attracting attention, and at the same time raising debate about the boundary between technology application and actual religious practice.

According to information from News and Ethnic newspaper, on the afternoon of November 2, in Ho Chi Minh City, representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha discussed the trend of going to temples and reciting Buddha's name online being shared on social networks, and at the same time provided information about the direction of managing Buddhist activities in cyberspace.

Accordingly, recently on social networks, a 3D game and "going to temple online" website appeared. There, users can create characters, enter the main hall to worship Buddha, chant sutras, pray rosaries, meditate, offer flowers and release flower lanterns. Simulations of activities at temples make many people question the meaning of practicing religion through a screen.

Venerable Thich Hue Thong, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council, Head of the Central Legal Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, said that the development of technology has brought many belief and religious activities to the online environment. Users can follow chanting, listen to sermons, practice meditation or access online Buddhist worship guide content.

This form opens more channels to access Buddhism in digital life, and at the same time requires guidance and management so that the practice is in accordance with teachings and legal regulations.

Venerable Thich Minh Nhan, Standing Deputy Head of the Department in charge of digital transformation, Central Information and Communications Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, emphasized that Buddhist worship and meditation activities on cyberspace cannot completely replace directly experiencing spiritual life at monasteries.

According to the Venerable, online platforms can support practical guidance, help users access information, listen to sermons and form basic knowledge about Buddhism. This is also a means for the Church to provide official information to the community.

However, it is necessary to distinguish the supporting role of technology from religious practice. Simulations on the screen do not mean they can replace the entire process of studying and experiencing at the monastery.

Venerable Thich Minh Nhan noted that there is currently a group taking advantage of these activities. In addition, some people have a positive spirit and want to contribute but do not fully understand Buddhism, which can lead to incorrect understanding of content or practice.

To increase the source of official information, the Church has made efforts to build the Butta Buddhist social network. The Venerable reiterated his advice about communication work in the spirit of "growing fragrant flowers to overwhelm weeds": proactively providing valuable content, helping positive information spread.

According to the Venerable, if there is a lack of reliable information sources, unofficial content will have a chance to dominate. The application of technology therefore needs to be accompanied by responsibility for content, Buddhist knowledge and communication methods.

Regarding the legal basis, the 2026 Law on Belief and Religion takes effect from January 1, 2027, supplementing regulations on belief and religious activities in cyberspace. The law also sets out the responsibilities of organizations and individuals when carrying out these activities

Venerable Thich Minh Nhan said that in the 8th Amendment to the Charter, the Church added regulations related to activities in cyberspace. These contents are intended to guide monks and nuns in using social networks and carrying out online Dharma preaching in accordance with the Church's orientation.

Management has been of concern to the Church in the past term through the operating regulations of the Central Sangha Board. Some cases of monks and nuns not participating in social networks in accordance with regulations have been reviewed and handled.

In the new term, the Church continues to concretize responsibilities, strengthen guidance for monks, nuns, Buddhists and build a safe and healthy online environment. Technology is identified as a means to bring the good values ​​of Buddhism closer to the community, associated with appropriate understanding and practice.

Don't turn merit into reward points

According to the opinion posted on the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha website, what is worrying is when the spiritual experience is designed in a way that stimulates users to click continuously, accumulate points, compete for rankings or pay to receive promises of blessings.

If every time you strike a bell, burn incense, or worship the Buddha, it is converted into a number of "merits", users easily misunderstand that practice is an accumulation of operations. Meanwhile, the quality of action needs to be examined based on motivation, awareness and impact on oneself and others.

A touch of the screen cannot automatically replace repentance. A digital offering does not exempt anyone from responsibility for the harm they have caused. If you want to correct a mistake, you still have to admit it, stop the wrong behavior and make up for it with specific actions. It is also necessary to be cautious when artificial intelligence is used to answer every question in the image of a teacher. The person asking may be suffering or stuck; Wrong answers that look majestic can easily make them believe.

Therefore, the operating unit must publicly disclose the person responsible, the source of the scriptures, the censorship mechanism and the revenue. Machine-generated content needs to be clearly identifiable. You cannot use solemnity as a guarantee of reliability.

Real pagodas are also places where people learn to live together: waiting for their turn, giving way, sweeping the yard, taking care of the sick, helping with common chores. These collisions help each person clearly see their own impatience and selfishness so they can change it. Virtual temples should be welcomed as they help people understand religion and live healthier lives. After the phone rings, do we know how to put down the phone, listen to the person next to us, and avoid one word that causes pain...

"Online temples" have appeared in many forms, from live broadcasting to the main hall, organizing meditation via Zoom to building cross-border learning communities. However, these activities need to be distinguished from graphically simulated temples, where users operate through avatars.

In Japan, Byodoji Temple in Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture, the 22nd place on the 88 Shikoku Temple pilgrimage route, broadcasts the main hall live day and night. People living far away can follow, worship Buddha and send prayers through the website; The temple receives and performs the ritual at the main hall. This is a real temple that opens an online connection space.

In the US, Red Cedar Zen Community in Bellingham, Washington state, maintains both an in-person meditation hall and a “virtual meditation hall” on Zoom. Activities are held online, in person or in combination with both formats. Attendees can meditate together, listen to Dharma and practice rituals according to the instructions of the community.

Also in the US, Buddhist Churches of America, comprised of more than 60 Shin Chan Pure Land Buddhist communities, introduces activities at temples and online. The organization offers a weekly online guided meditation program and also provides links to watch ceremonies remotely.

Internationally, Siddhartha's Intent operates "Online Temple", connecting practitioners in many places with introductory Buddhist, meditation and ritual programs. These examples show that online temples are not just architecture on a screen, but can also be a form of guided learning.