(Ecns.cn)--Dubbed the "CEO monk" for commercializing the Shaolin Temple, which is located in Henan Province and traditionally considered the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, Shi Yongxin, the temple's abbot, came under the spotlight again recently after being accused of soliciting prostitutes and having affairs with several celebrities.
While Shi himself had refused to comment on the accusations earlier in May, Qiang Daliang, general manager of the Shaolin Intangible Assets Management Center, told China Daily that "we will depreciate ourselves if we make too many explanations." If it is time for the abbot to come out, he will, Qiang added.
The head of the Shaolin Temple Communications Office denied the rumors, noting that the abbot visited the prostitutes only to bless them, reported dahe.cn, a website based in Henan.
"Let bygones be bygones"
Possibly due to pressure from the public, Shi does not go out much these days, reporters from the Global People learned from disciples at Shaolin Temple last month.
The abbot gets up at 5:00 a.m. and goes to bed at 9:00 p.m. every day, the disciples added, a schedule more rigorous than nine-to-five white collar workers in cities.
Though heavily criticized, Shi agreed to an interview with the reporters and managed to address the accusations.
Speaking of his alleged "ladyloves," including a student at Peking University, Shi said, "I have never heard of them, except Yang Lan (a famous talk show actress)," but "I don't see a need to clear myself of those rumors. Let bygones be bygones. As the doctrine goes: Being silent is the best way to extricate oneself from troubles. We should move forward. There are problems that need time and space to solve."
Shi added that he will strictly adhere to Buddhist precepts, which forbid monks from falling in love or getting married.
"People are born with emotions and desires, which make the practice of Buddhism a challenge. You have to be strong-willed and restrained, which will in return help strengthen you," explained Shi.
