6 arrested over Buddhist temples' illegal funding

TAIYUAN - Two temples on Mount Wutai, one of four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, have been shut down and six people arrested over illegal funding of the sites, the local administration bureau announced on Sunday.

Added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2009, Mount Wutai is home to about 50 Buddhist temples that were built between the 1st century AD and the early 20th century.

Two illegal temples named "Foguozhongxin" and "Temple for the God of Wealth" were on Thursday reported to have hired fake monks to deceive tourists into donating money, buying expensive incense and paying unreasonable amounts for ceremonies.

The Mount Wutai Administration Bureau on Friday closed the two temples and revoked their business licenses. Further investigation is under way.

"We will continue to regulate temples and shops on Mount Wutai to display a good image to tourists," said the director of the bureau.