Shi Yongxin, Shaolin Temple's abbot (File photo)
Shaolin Temple yesterday rejected online rumors criticizing its abbot for his turbulent personal life.
Since July 25, an online post entitled "Who will supervise the case of Shi Yongxin, the 'big tiger?'" has been spread widely. In the gossip, a so-called Shaolin disciple named Shi Zhengyi reported that the Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin has a turbulent personal life and seized the temple's property.
On the evening of July 26, Shaolin Temple posted a statement on its website saying that the recent online rumors about Abbot Shi were vicious, groundless libel.
Shaolin Temple also claimed that the rumor had tarnished the reputation of both the Shaolin Temple and the abbot himself, and they have already asked local police to investigate the incident.
In recent years, online rumors about the Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin have appeared frequently. Shaolin Temple has released several statements rejecting the allegations.
In early May 2010, a widespread online rumor claimed that local reporters witnessed the arrest of Abbot Shi as he visited prostitutes during a police crackdown on prostitution.
