Releasing animals in the wild should be an spontaneous act to save endangered species. But today it has become a profitable business for many animal raisers. Birdcatchers are always busy before important days on the Buddhist calendar, because Buddhism practitioners almost do not bargain for prices of birds. Many birds are injured or even die before being set free, and quite a few die soon after being released.

Given the belief that the more live animals they set free the more virtuous they will be considered, releasing animals in the wild has become a competition among the wealthy. The two people who released the foxes and minks are reportedly Beijing-based businessmen. This means a religion that derides wealth has fallen prey to the unabashed use of money in the quest for personal salvation.

Many temples have chosen ponds, rivers or wooded areas where devotees can set fish, animals and birds free. It's another matter that such places have become graves rather than havens for these creatures, because they either die for failing to cope with the demands of nature or fall prey to hunters or fishermen.

As such, setting animals free without caring for the fate of the creatures that are released or the environment and ecology is nothing but a misuse of religion for personal redemption.

Believers should carefully study and consult experts before setting animals free, so as to ensure they can survive and their abrupt entry into the wild will not harm the local ecology. They should also understand the consequences of following a practice that started centuries ago in today's world when our planet has been beyond recognition.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. liyang@chinadaily.com.cn