The official website of Shaolin Temple confirmed late Sunday that its abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under criminal investigation by authorities over embezzling funds from temples, engaging in improper relationships with multiple women and raising illegitimate children.
The announcement came after the scandal about Shi having hundreds of illegitimate children and being involved in a billion-dollar corruption.
The Shaolin Temple stated that relevant information will be announced in a timely manner, without specifying any details.
The sudden cessation of Shi's online activity has sparked widespread speculation and discussion, while some Chinese media outlets have reported that the authorities are detaining Shi for investigation since the weekend.
A blue-background announcement resembling a "police notice" claiming the 59-year-old was intercepted at Shanghai Pudong International Airport just before boarding a flight to the United States has gone viral recently.
The notice wrote that Shi attempted to flee to the US on Saturday (Jul 26) with seven mistresses, 21 children as well as six staff from the temple via a flight MU583 to Los Angeles, but relevant authorities intercepted the group.
The post also claimed that Shi has 51 mistresses, up to 174 illegitimate children and that Shi was said to have illegally transferred US$41.3 billion (around 295.5 billion yuan) from various Shaolin monasteries.
The Kaifeng police in Henan Province initially clarified that the so-called police notice was fake. However, it also stated that authorities "are currently carrying out relevant work."
Regarding the speculation, a representative from the Shaolin Temple said he hadn't seen Shi recently and advised waiting for official news from the authorities.
Shi Yongxin was born as Liu Yingcheng in Anhui and formally took office as abbot of Shaolin in 1999. He is the Chairman of the Henan Province Buddhists Association, Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, and has served as the representative of the National People's Congress in the past.
(Staff reporter)
(Updated at 9.02pm)
Read more:
Head of Shaolin Temple Shi Yongxin removed over embezzlement claims
Sex, lies, and incense: 'Shaolin CEO' Shi Yongxin's decade-old allegations resurface
