Henan govt to investigate Shaolin abbot’s sex scandal

Religion affairs authorities in Henan Province said on Thursday that it will investigate the alleged sex scandal involving Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin and will safeguard the religious society's rights.

Shi was recently accused online by a self-proclaimed follower as an "embezzler and womanizer." The alleged follower also claimed that Shi has illegitimate children.

A spokesperson of the State Administration for Religious Affairs said it has asked the Henan provincial religious department to verify the accusations against the abbot.

The Buddhist Association of China also said on Thursday that the association has talked to related departments and hopes the investigation ends soon because the incident involves the temple's and Chinese Buddhism's image and reputation.

On Tuesday, the alleged follower revealed the identity of one woman who he claims is the mother of one of Shi's illegitimate children.

The Shaolin Temple has denied all the allegations and has reported the alleged follower to the police for "fabricating information and malice." Shi has courted controversy in the past for overly commercializing the Shaolin Temple.