Are donations to temples compulsory?

　Thank you for your question. Recently, there have been fewer prayers and memorial services at temples, etc., and there have been cases where people other than followers and parishioners receive donations from places associated with the temple, but due to the declining birthrate and aging population and the younger generation leaving the temple, it is difficult to maintain the temple, so I think they are asking for donations. Looking at the content, I think they are forcing people to donate. I feel like it's a really terrible temple. I think it would be nice if I could tell the head temple about that. Also, I think it would be a good idea to consult with the president etc. of that temple. Gassho

(Some corrections have been made)
An offering is not compensation for sutras.

“Observe” is one of the “works of wisdom that benefits people (Hannya),” along with “saying kind words (love language),” “helping people in need (Toshiyuki),” and “thinking with the other person's feelings (colleague).”
Are good deeds compulsory? Isn't it something that comes from nature and the heart (event)?

I'm giving the answers here for free. But this is thanks to my parishioners preparing a temple, and I have enough financial power to eat.
How would you say thank you for your answers here? There is an “Okimochi” button. Not all of the money for the Okimochi button will be delivered to me. It is used for the operation of hasunoha. (Donations from other charities, etc.) If hasunoha is properly managed and the charity thrives, many people can be saved. I think being kind to others would also be a thank you for being kind to me. People who have been treated well will also be kind to others. As a result, there are fewer hasunoha questions, and I am saved. Of course, the same goes for offerings to the temple of the family. The temple will use that money with care, and someone will be saved. Then, it goes around and comes back to you.

As you can see, the money flow ring and the good deeds ring go round and round in different places, but it's not good to stop them both along the way. If you say, “If it's not compulsory, I won't do it,” the economy and good deeds will stop flowing. If the flow stops, it won't go to anyone else's place, and results will be created that won't go back to you.

By all means, I think it would be a good idea to properly hold the Obon and Ohigan memorial services and pay the offerings. It's not compulsory, but it's my duty as a Buddhist.

That said, I think the temple you're asking about is a bit overkill, but don't be too stubborn.

I don't know the details, but it seems that my father's grave is in the temple grounds, so I think there are people who ask for that payment every year as a grave maintenance fee.
Also, apart from that, we may also ask for donations due to the need for repair costs, etc. However, in that case, I think it is meant to be as far as possible. Please cooperate to the extent that it does not interfere with your life.
However, other than that, even though there is no memorial service or sutras recitation, it is wrong to force them to do only offerings.
Originally, offerings are not in return for the memorial service, so it is good to voluntarily give offerings even if there is nothing in particular, but it is a mistake to force them from the temple.
It's best to talk to the chief priest, but if you have trouble speaking, talk to the head of the parishioner.
Also, Obon is near, so I think it's okay to ask them to recite the Obon sutras and talk about it at that time.
If it's a relationship you don't usually talk about, it's easy to cause misunderstandings.
In the worst case, you may leave the stage, but in that case, it may be necessary to relocate the grave.

A temple is an organization run by parishioners.
Among the parishioners, there are several officers called generals.
Let's check with the board (president) what the temple's system is like, and whether other parishioners are also paying.

However, it is normal for parishioners to bear the maintenance costs of a temple.
If other parishioners are paying for it and you don't just pay for your home, it would be unfair.

Parishioners are members who run temples.
It's not a customer (consumer).
The position of the parishioners is that they must plan the maintenance costs for the temple themselves, which is their own temple.