China's famous Shaolin Temple says its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets.
Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offences and violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple's authority on its WeChat account.
The notice said multiple departments were completing a joint investigation, and its findings would be announced in due course.
An online notice claiming authorities intercepted Shi Yongxin while he was trying to flee to the US with several mistresses and some 20 children was dismissed as fake by Chinese authorities.
"The investigation of Shi Yongxin is undoubtedly the most sensational case of corruption in a Buddhist temple in recent years," Hu Xijin, the former editor of state-run Global Times newspaper and a prominent commentator, wrote on the social media site Weibo, where the Shaolin Temple story was trending.
"It tells people that in today's China, there is no place that can be considered a 'safe haven' for corrupt practices."
Local media reported that Shi Yongxin, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money.
Provincial investigation reports exonerated Shi Yongxin of all charges in 2016, according to the Caixin Global news outlet.
"I was in awe seeing the news again as I thought it had already been dealt with," Weibo user Tianyalizhixing posted over the weekend.
High-profile temple
The fame of the Shaolin Temple, in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution.
It is also renowned for being the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, starring martial arts superstar Jet Li.
Shi Yongxin entered the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple's website.
China's state news agency Xinhua reported in 2015 that he was known as a "CEO monk", attracting criticism for developing commercial operations to promote kung fu shows and merchandise.
Shi Yongxin was elected as vice-chairperson of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002, state media reported.
AP/ABC
