Taoist priest Liang Xingyang, 41, pays tribute to Taoist gods before moving tablets on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China September 2, 2020. A collection of 558 memorial tablets are inscribed with the names and hometowns of people who died after contracting the coronavirus or while battling the pandemic. "A person's true death is when the whole world has forgotten them," said Xingyang, who started the collection on Jan. 29, shortly after Chinese authorities announced that the virus could pass between humans. "No matter what religion or beliefs they hold, their spirit deserves to be passed on. In fact, they live on in our hearts." Of those honoured by the tablets, only a minority died of COVID-19. Most died from other causes, like exhaustion from overwork, Liang said. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Priest Zhang Zongyan, 27, a politics study graduate, arranges memorial tablets at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 7, 2020. During her studies, Zongyan unexpectedly encountered a Taoist ceremony on her trip. She visited a Taoist temple where she first experienced Taoist music and dance. She was fascinated by the rhythm and costumes. After her graduation, Zongyan worked for a year but more she learned about the Taoism, the more she was drawn to it. She then made her mind to quit her job and focus on studying Taoism. Five years ago, Zongyan was converted to Taoism in her home town. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Priest Deng Shiquan, 28, a former restaurant worker, pushes a shopping cart next to priest Cao Shijing, 45, outside a supermarket after buying groceries to take to the Jiuyang Palace, a Taoist monastery, in Yangli county, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Shiquan converted to Taoism in 2015. "I have never been the Type A student, nor the type who acquired a high academic degree. I don't have any specialty or a clever mind. But by following my master Liang, I can feel myself improving, in studying knowledge and socializing with people," Shiquan said. "It's enough for us as long as we run our Taoist rites well, complete things we are obliged to do. I don't know how to say pretty words, but only know one simple thing, which is to always give a hand to those who are in need." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Liang Xingyang washes his hair at a makeshift bathroom at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China September 7, 2020. Liang, who has a following of three million people on China's Twitter-like Weibo, does get help from young people who have joined him over the years. "The hardest thing is to keep going," Liang said. "We maintain them (the tablets) every day. Then we wait to see if, once this disaster has finished, will people still remember them? It is this which is the biggest hurdle." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priests use their phones as they rest after a memorial ceremony at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, prepares for a memorial ceremony on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Zhang Zongyan, 27, a politics study graduate, plays dulcimer during at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. During her studies, Zongyan unexpectedly encountered a Taoist ceremony on her trip. She visited a Taoist temple where she first experienced Taoist music and dance. She was fascinated by the rhythm and costumes. After her graduation, Zongyan worked for a year but more she learned about the Taoism, the more she was drawn to it. She then made her mind to quit her job and focus on studying Taoism. Five years ago, Zongyan was converted to Taoism in her home town. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Zhang Zongyan, 27, a politics study graduate, points a thermometer at priest Xia Shiran, 25, for fun at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 7, 2020. During her studies, Zongyan unexpectedly encountered a Taoist ceremony on her trip. She visited a Taoist temple where she first experienced Taoist music and dance. She was fascinated by the rhythm and costumes. After her graduation, Zongyan worked for a year but more she learned about the Taoism, the more she was drawn to it. She then made her mind to quit her job and focus on studying Taoism. Five years ago, Zongyan was converted to Taoism in her home town. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Wang Shixiu, makes marks on talismans in preparation for memorial ceremonies during Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Memorial tablets are seen inside a hall at a Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan, Shandong province, China, September 7, 2020. A collection of 558 memorial tablets are inscribed with the names and hometowns of people who died after contracting the coronavirus or while battling the pandemic. "A person's true death is when the whole world has forgotten them," said priest Liang Xingyang, who started the collection on Jan. 29, shortly after Chinese authorities announced that the virus could pass between humans. "No matter what religion or beliefs they hold, their spirit deserves to be passed on. In fact, they live on in our hearts." Of those honoured by the tablets, only a minority died of COVID-19. Most died from other causes, like exhaustion from overwork, Liang said. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, sweeps stairs on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist monastery Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace and Jiuyang Pagoda stand in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. The monastery complex, where a small community of priests lives, sleeps, eats and worships, is spread across a rocky hill. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Lu Zongping, 57, looks at priest Zhang Zongyan (not pictured) as they make a figurine offering for an evening memorial ceremony at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Zongping was in charge of the finance of a local Taoist temple in her home town before she was converted to Taoism several years ago. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, takes off his socks before bedtime in his bedroom inside Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Taoist priest Liang Xingyang, 41, carries a gas container as priest Huang Xingzhen films him for his Douyin, or Tiktok channel at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Liang, who has a following of three million people on China's Twitter-like Weibo, does get help from young people who have joined him over the years. "The hardest thing is to keep going," Liang said. "We maintain them (the tablets) every day. Then we wait to see if, once this disaster has finished, will people still remember them? It is this which is the biggest hurdle." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Shang Shishen, 27, carries a basket with food as he climbs up the stairs leading to Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Shishen is a priest studying his second year at a Taoist college at Wudang Mountain in Hubei province. He is an apprentice of Priest Liang Xingyang. Shishen came to the Jiuyang palace during his summer vacation and to help out in the monastery. "Different person turns to Taoism due to different reasons. Some are hoping to cut off the tie with the real world to experience themselves, some for their interests in Taoism," Shishen said. "I was drawn to it, in hoping to seek answers about life and death. My family member's passing away has stricken me hard. Since then, I wanted to know more about the life and death, and religion is my way leading to that." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, holds scripture books and offerings in preparation for a memorial ceremony on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Zhang Zongyan, 27, a politics study graduate, looks at an instruction of pesticide that priest Deng Shiquan (R2), 28, a former restaurant worker, bought in Yangli county as Priest Xia Shiran (L), 25, stands by, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Taoist priest Liang Xingyang, 41, takes over an empty gas container from an apprentice as he attempts to carry it downhill, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Liang, who has a following of three million people on China's Twitter-like Weibo, does get help from young people who have joined him over the years. "The hardest thing is to keep going," Liang said. "We maintain them (the tablets) every day. Then we wait to see if, once this disaster has finished, will people still remember them? It is this which is the biggest hurdle." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A priest live-streams with the phone of Taoist priest Liang Xingyang, 41, who is moving memorial tablets, on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China September 2, 2020. A collection of 558 memorial tablets are inscribed with the names and hometowns of people who died after contracting the coronavirus or while battling the pandemic. "A person's true death is when the whole world has forgotten them," said Xingyang, who started the collection on Jan. 29, shortly after Chinese authorities announced that the virus could pass between humans. "No matter what religion or beliefs they hold, their spirit deserves to be passed on. In fact, they live on in our hearts." Of those honoured by the tablets, only a minority died of COVID-19. Most died from other causes, like exhaustion from overwork, Liang said. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, chants and dances at a memorial ceremony during Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priests chant while they burn offerings at a memorial ceremony during Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priests place memorial tablets on stairs on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. A collection of 558 memorial tablets are inscribed with the names and hometowns of people who died after contracting the coronavirus or while battling the pandemic. "A person's true death is when the whole world has forgotten them," said priest Liang Xingyang, who started the collection on Jan. 29, shortly after Chinese authorities announced that the virus could pass between humans. "No matter what religion or beliefs they hold, their spirit deserves to be passed on. In fact, they live on in our hearts." Of those honoured by the tablets, only a minority died of COVID-19. Most died from other causes, like exhaustion from overwork, Liang said. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A woman from Beijing kneels before priest Liang Xingyang, 41, at her conversion ceremony at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. Liang, who has a following of three million people on China's Twitter-like Weibo, does get help from young people who have joined him over the years. "The hardest thing is to keep going," Liang said. "We maintain them (the tablets) every day. Then we wait to see if, once this disaster has finished, will people still remember them? It is this which is the biggest hurdle." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Xia Shiran, 25, chants during a memorial ceremony at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. Shiran encountered priest Liang Xingyang's Weibo channel. He was surprised that a Taoist priest could be so active on social media. Out of curiosity, he started to learn more about him. In 2015, he was converted to Taoism and two years later he started living in the temple. "Almost everyone has a fantasy about Taoist life as if priests don't ever eat or walk, or don't use money. After I became one, I realized that they are normal people, and everyone is just studying non-stop," Shiran said. "From here above we can see the downhill villages. It's definitely more convenient to eat and commute in the city. However they might dream of better air quality, slower pace of life and quieter natural environment we have up here. When life on the mountain becomes hard, I think of those who envy our lives. Everyone has different moments of happiness and comfort though each of us envies others." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priests chant at a memorial ceremony during Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

The widow of Liu, 42, attends a memorial ceremony to see her late husband's tablet on the day of Hungry Ghost Festival, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Wang Shixiu, priest Liang Xingyang, and priest Cao Shijing, 45, play with Priest Cao's dog at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. Shijing was converted to Taosim by priest Liang Xingyang in 2014 but has been living in the city as a disciple. After her daughter began her new life in the university in Beijing, she decided to move with her dog to the monastery, to become a real Taoist priest. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Huang Xingzhen, 30, cleans up used incense sticks from an incense burner at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Shang Shishen, 27, puts on a jumper, a souvenir from Jiuyang Palace Taoist temple, before he leaves for a Taoist school, at Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 7, 2020. Shishen is a priest studying his second year at a Taoist college at Wudang Mountain in Hubei province. He is an apprentice of Priest Liang Xingyang. Shishen came to the Jiuyang palace during his summer vacation and to help out in the monastery. "Different person turns to Taoism due to different reasons. Some are hoping to cut off the tie with the real world to experience themselves, some for their interests in Taoism," Shishen said. "I was drawn to it, in hoping to seek answers about life and death. My family member's passing away has stricken me hard. Since then, I wanted to know more about the life and death, and religion is my way leading to that." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Zhang Zongyan, 27, a politics study graduate, dances at a memorial ceremony during Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations, at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 1, 2020. During her studies, Zongyan unexpectedly encountered a Taoist ceremony on her trip. She visited a Taoist temple where she first experienced Taoist music and dance. She was fascinated by the rhythm and costumes. After her graduation, Zongyan worked for a year but more she learned about the Taoism, the more she was drawn to it. She then made her mind to quit her job and focus on studying Taoism. Five years ago, Zongyan was converted to Taoism in her home town. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Deng Shiquan, 28, a former restaurant worker, uses laptop at the office of Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 2, 2020. Shiquan converted to Taoism in 2015. "I have never been the Type A student, nor the type who acquired a high academic degree. I don't have any specialty or a clever mind. But by following my master Liang, I can feel myself improving, in studying knowledge and socializing with people," Shiquan said. "It's enough for us as long as we run our Taoist rites well, complete things we are obliged to do. I don't know how to say pretty words, but only know one simple thing, which is to always give a hand to those who are in need." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Lu Zongping, 57, distributes porridge as priest Chen Hongyu holds a bowl of steamed buns for dinner at Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 6, 2020. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Priest Chen Hongyu (R) and priest Shang Shishen, 27, (L4) bow to priest Liang Xingyang as they leave the temple for returning a Taoist college for the new semester, at the entrance of Taoist temple Jiuyang Palace, in Laiwu of Jinan city, Shandong province, China, September 7, 2020. Shishen is a priest studying his second year at a Taoist college at Wudang Mountain in Hubei province. He is an apprentice of Priest Liang Xingyang. Shishen came to the Jiuyang Palace during his summer vacation and to help out in the monastery. "Different person turns to Taoism due to different reasons. Some are hoping to cut off the tie with the real world to experience themselves, some for their interests in Taoism," Shishen said. "I was drawn to it, in hoping to seek answers about life and death. My family member's passing away has stricken me hard. Since then, I wanted to know more about the life and death, and religion is my way leading to that." REUTERS/Tingshu Wang SEARCH "TAOISM TINGSHU" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES