Shaolin Temple uncovers man behind abbot rumor

Thirty monks of the Shaolin Temple issued an online joint statement on Thursday morning to clarify the recent rumor surrounding their abbot Shi Yongxin, adding that the libellant had been found.

The statement was the latest official reaction from the prestigious Buddhist monastery to the July 25 online allegation that claimed the Abbot Shi Yongxin "led an indecent life style," "had double identities," and "violated Buddhist regulations," among other problems inconsistent with his status as the head monk.

The online allegation, which was issued under a self-claimed real name "Shi Zhengyi," instantly stirred a major sensation in part due to Shi Yongxin's high esteem, as well as the previous similar rumors he suffered from.

The 30 Shaolin monks stated that the online allegation was "a malicious defamation and libel" of their master, adding that they had discovered the man behind the libel to be Shi Yanlu, from Shandong Province. The clarification letter said Shi Yanlu "grudged being expelled from the monastery and attempted to defame Abbot Shi Yongxin on the Internet."

According to the Shaolin statement, Shi Yanlu joined the monastery in 1993 and once became popular among the senior monks. But he turned greedy and started enrolling students in the name of the Shaolin Temple's legion of warrior monks, which led to his expulsion.

After hearing the rumor, the Shaolin Temple instantly responded, saying it had reported the "libel" incident to the police, which have yet to open a case. The Buddhist Association of Henan Province, where the monastery is located, also issued a statement via its deputy chief Shi Yanci, saying that it hoped "national authorities and the China Buddhist Association will intervene in the issue as soon as possible to set the record straight and bring harmony back to society."

Meanwhile, Abbot Shi Yongxin said he "would seek relief by not entering the argument" when approached by the media.