China’s world-renowned Shaolin Temple has announced its abbot – Shi Yongxin – is under criminal investigation for alleged embezzlement and “improper relationships” with women.
The 59-year-old, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, is alleged to have seriously violated Buddhist principles by maintaining relationships with several women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to the temple’s authorities.
He is “suspected of criminal offences, misappropriating and embezzling project funds and the temple’s assets,” the temple said in a statement.
Shi has “seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women over a long period of time” and fathered at least one “illegitimate” child, it alleged.
He is under joint investigation by several agencies, it added.
In a statement, the state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said it approved the revoking of Shi’s ordination certificate.
His “behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature” it said, adding he has “seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks”. | Sky News
