should Jain devotees share the total donations collected with shared temple
Short answer: It’s not a fixed religious rule to publicly share the total donations, but transparency is highly valued in Jain practice, and sharing or making accounts available is often encouraged for accountability.
Why:
- Dana (charity) should be given with pure intention (humility, detachment). That remains the core ideal. ( jainknowledge.com)
- In temple governance, many Jain communities emphasize clear records of donations and how funds are used. This helps devotees trust the sangh and ensures funds support maintenance, rituals, and charitable work. ( jainknowledge.com)
What you can consider:
- Temples may maintain and share regular accounts (audits, receipts) to show how dana is used.
- If you are a donor, you can request a receipt and a brief summary of fund usage; many sanghs welcome transparency and accountability.
- There can be differences in practice between Digambar and Śvetambar communities, but the underlying principle—dana with right intention and responsible use of funds—remains central.