Fears that controversial Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin could flee during kung fu performance in Thailand

The controversial Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin is set to lead a delegation to Thailand for a kungfu performance, raising concern that he might flee the country to dodge a range of scandals over his integrity, The Beijing News reported.

It was reported that Shi would lead a delegation of 100 to Thailand on Saturday, saying the event was arranged some time ago.

The allegations were posted online last week by a former disciple at the temple, using the pseudonym Shi Zhengyi.

He provided documents that he claimed showed the abbot had been expelled by famous temple in Henan province in the late 1980s for issuing fake receipts, holding double identities, and having sexual relations with several women, some of whose children he fathered.

The allegations were shared rapidly on the internet on Thursday, prompting the State Administration for Religious Affairs to order an investigation. The Buddhist Association of China also said the matter “had affected the image and reputation of Chinese Buddhism”.

The Beijing News reported today that Shi Zhengyi had provided more documents claiming the abbot was gradually transferring company properties held by Shaolin Temple to his mistress Han Mingjun.

The Chengdu Economic Daily quoted Shi Yongxin’s mother as saying that her son has no wife or daughter and had never been married. Thepaper.cn ran checks over his mother’s household registraion and found the alleged wife, mistresses and their daughters were registered as his mother’s neices and granddaughters.