Taoist abbot Yuan Zhihong has a complicated attitude toward money: He knows his temple needs funds to make ends meet, but the commercialization of religious venues is affecting their sacred status.

"At some public memorial ceremonies, people have paid more than 1 million yuan ($163,000) to light the first incense stick," he said. "The religion has become too secular in many places."

The 58-year-old abbot at Beijing Dongyue Temple made the remarks at an eight-day seminar organized by the State Administration for Religious Affairs and attended by about 130 Taoists and religious officials, in Beijing's suburban Changping district in mid-May.