It is true that Shi Xuecheng harassed female disciples, and the issue of sexual assaul

The investigation revealed that Xuecheng was suspected of violating Buddhist precepts.The picture shows Xuecheng (middle) chanting scriptures at an event in Mount Wutai, Shanxi last December.(AFP file photo)

According to the investigation, it is true that Xuecheng sent harassing messages in the reporting materials, and Xuecheng is suspected of violating Buddhist precepts.The authorities have instructed the Buddhist Association of China to deal with it seriously in accordance with Buddhist teachings and regulations and the Constitution of the Buddhist Association of China.

(Comprehensive news from Beijing) Shi Xuecheng, the former president of the Buddhist Association of China and the abbot of Longquan Temple in Beijing, was accused of sending harassing messages, which was confirmed after investigation.As for his reported sexual assault, the police are investigating.

The State Administration of Religious Affairs of China announced yesterday on its official website the investigation and verification status (abbreviated as the situation) of the reports on Xuecheng and Beijing Longquan Temple related to the reports on Xuecheng and Longquan Temple earlier this month.

As for the sexual assault issue mentioned in the reported materials, the situation revealed that the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has carried out acceptance and preliminary investigation according to law, and is currently investigating.

On the 1st of this month, Shi Xianjia and Shi Xianqi, who once served as the governors of Longquan Temple in Beijing, released a 95-page report accusing Xuecheng of using mind control to sexually assault several female monks, and at the same time exposing the existence of Longquan Temple.Illegal construction, unknown whereabouts of huge funds and other disadvantages.

The whistleblowing report not only released a large number of sexually provocative text messages sent by Xuecheng to several female disciples, but also pointed out that Longquan Temple began to guide monks and lay disciples to build a stage for him day and night after Xuecheng became the abbot.From 2005 to the present, all the buildings built in Longquan Temple are illegal buildings.

The construction of Longquan Temple has been confirmed to be illegal

Longquan Temple and Xuecheng himself issued a statement denying the allegations that night, and the Religious Affairs Bureau announced the receipt of the reported materials the next day and began investigation and verification work.

According to the situation announced by the Bureau yesterday, the investigation found that the materials reported on the illegal construction of Longquan Temple were also true. The reported building did not obtain a construction project planning permit according to law. The relevant local departments are currently investigating and collecting evidence and will deal with it according to law.

In addition, with regard to the whereabouts of a large amount of funds of Longquan Temple, the investigation shows that Longquan Temple is suspected of violating relevant state financial management regulations, and the local department is currently investigating and punishing it in accordance with laws and regulations.

Xuecheng resigned from his post as president and director of the Buddhist Association of China last week before his reported materials and allegations of sexual assault were proven.At that time, some analysts pointed out that the resignation made the report seem not groundless.

In response to the investigation results released yesterday, many netizens said that the damage to the society and believers was too great, and called on the relevant authorities to investigate and punish severely, and use this as an opportunity to comprehensively rectify the Buddhist circle.

Since the beginning of this year, the anti-sexual assault movement #metoo (米兔, also translated me too) has been a whirlwind in China. Many men with social status have been reported on the Internet for sexual assault or harassment. Among them, Xuecheng is a high-ranking official.of one.

The 52-year-old Xuecheng has a postgraduate degree. He was the abbot of Guanghua Temple in Putian, Fujian at the age of 23. He was once the youngest and most educated abbot in Chinese Han Buddhist temples.In 2005, Xuecheng became the abbot of Longquan Temple in Beijing. In 2015, he became the president of the Buddhist Association of China.The abbot of Fufeng Famen Temple, the vice president of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Religion of Beijing Normal University, etc.He also served as a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and his administrative level belongs to the vice-ministerial level.