Hits on many Buddhist websites have recently been hotting up.

And when you take a closer look, you may be intrigued to find that most of those web-surfers involved are stock-market investors.

What attracts those investors to pay such frequent visits to Buddha-worshipping websites?

A lady surnamed Xin told a reporter from the Qilu Evening News that, though investing in the stock exchange requires skills and techniques, good luck is also very important. She hopes that worship of the Buddha will sharpen her good luck.

In such spirits, many investors, like Madam Xin, burn a virtual joss stick and pay routine respect to the Buddha on the internet every day before trading formally opens.

"I am not a Buddhist, but I will also pay respect to the Buddha on the Internet sometimes, because I believe it will bring me auspiciousness." said an investor surnamed Gao.

He also said that, during such crucial moments as initial stock fluctuation, doing so could bring investors psychological comfort.

Professor Zhu at Shandong University said worshiping Buddha on Internet actually reflects some investors conducting speculation on the stock market in a similar fashion to gambling. Some people even take investing in the stock market as a means of testing their luck, he noted.

But even with the stock market fluctuating all the time, investors resort to this practice as a means of releasing their heavy mental pressure, he said.

Professor Zhu also reminded us that the burning of joss sticks or paying respects to the Buddha is superstitious activity, revealing that most investment in the stock market is an irrational deed conducted by timorous investors.

The professor suggested that investing in the stock market should not be like purchasing a lottery ticket. Therefore, investors must form a rational financing concept, otherwise, they will inevitably fall into a vicious circle.