The traditional Spring Festival is a time to perform ancient customs around China, and an even better occasion for engaging in superstitious activities, especially in rural areas.

Wang Yuwen, 76, eagerly went back to his home village in Heze, Shandong Province from his son's comfortable residence in town, on the third day of the 2007 Spring Festival. He spared no time in organizing a folk drama performance, as a grand gift for a joss house in the village, which was built by nearby villagers.

The small temple of several houses, enshrining a number of "jinns" from Buddha to Taoist saints and regional goddesses, has been attracting numerous pilgrims from and around the village since it was rebuilt in 2001, the fourth reconstruction in its history, according to Wang, after it was demolished as one of the "Four Olds" in the Cultural Revolution. It is said the temple has existed for hundreds of years.

Construction of the three brick houses with a yard, along with eight icons about 50 centimetres tall, was funded by donations from villagers, much of which was collected by Wang by begging door to door. The village has 1,500 residents, all with the same family name. Some villagers later volunteered to contribute as more and more people came to worship. Some gave 1,000 yuan at a time, in the poorest county of the eastern province, where the average annual income is less than 3,000 yuan. During the six years nearly 70,000 yuan was collected and used in the construction and maintenance of the small temple.

Wang has given 3,000 yuan to the project, and was planning to donate another 1,000 yuan this year. He saved the money from money his son, a local governmental cadre, had given him. His son doesn't support religious activities, but can't deny his father's only pleasure in life since his wife passed away six years ago.

As Wang grieved after his wife's death a man who appeared to be controlled by the Buddha approached him, Wang says. The man told Wang he had been chosen to lead the reconstruction of the temple because his wife had achieved immortality and was enjoying life on a holy mountain. Wang has been involved with the temple ever since, and occasionally dreams of his wife coming to visit the family from above.

According to Wang, when the man channels Buddha's spirit, he falls down on the floor, unconscious, then slowly gets up, speaking in a strange voice with a strange expression on his face. When Buddha leaves the man's body, he faints again. Wang doesn't doubt "Buddha's" guidance and thanks the man with presents every time.

Wang believes the temple has been good for the village. The Buddha predicted that the village would be a cradle for college students, and nearly 80 students in the village have gone to university in the past decade. Also, ten of the 20 people managing the temple have had grandsons, considered a sign of good luck as boys are still preferred over girls in this area.