Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Abbot Xuecheng is one of China’s most high-profile clergymen and has an enormous social media following
A top-ranking Chinese Language monk has denied accusations he sexually burdened nuns and coerced them into sex by “controlling their minds”.
Abbot Xuecheng’s alleged actions had been precise in a file sent to govt officials through priests from Longquan temple where he is based.
The temple, in Beijing, has accused the monks of “distorting details”.
Xuecheng is the newest public determine to be accused of sexual misconduct as part of a rising #MeToo motion in China.
he is the top of the Buddhist Affiliation of China, the youngest particular person to ever hold the placement, and a political advisor to the federal government.
The abbot also has more than one million followers on Weibo, a Chinese Language social network.
The temple mentioned in a press release published on Weibo (in Chinese Language) that it might call for an research group to be set up, but stressed out Xuechang’s denial of the charges.
It said the “fabricated evidence” had “unlawful intentions to maliciously body Abbot Xuecheng”.
‘Under his spell’
The record written by two monks at Longquang temple, Xianjia and Xianqi, accuses Abbot Xuecheng of sending illicit messages to the nuns and coerced them into sexual relations.
It alleges that he tempted or threatened a minimum of six nuns to have intercourse with him. Four gave in to his requests, it says.
It additionally accuses the abbot of the use of text messages to “thoughts-control” the nuns by means of claiming that sex used to be a part of their look at of Buddhist doctrines.
The NINETY FIVE-web page record, which was leaked online, also said one in all the nuns had filed a police file in June alleging Xuecheng had sexually assaulted her.
in line with the monks, they began investigations into Xuecheng’s actions after a nun who stayed in Beijing in December 2017 confirmed them sexual messages sent from the abbot.
“Longquan temple is beneath his spell,” said the report. “Xuecheng manipulated disciples to serve his ‘Buddhist empire’.”
Xuecheng was taken in for questioning however has now been released, in step with a supply speaking to state media outlet the worldwide Times.
The temple accused the priests of “forging fabrics, distorting details and spreading false data”.
The report has been circulating on Chinese social media structures but appears to be being deleted and censored.
Monk Xianqi showed to the BBC that he co-wrote the document however rejected an interview request. He said he had “no thought” how it leaked and stated he didn’t have plans to post it publicly.
Chinese Language professor accused in #MeToo campaign is sacked Will #MeToo spread in China? China’s detained ‘guerrilla feminists’
The #MeToo movement, which erupted in the US final yr and ended in dozens of prime-profile figures being publicly shamed for sexual misconduct, has been gradual to take off in China.
but the motion now seems to be moving ahead, despite accusations the government has been censoring reports.
Abbot Xuecheng is the latest figure to be been accused of sexual misconduct.
Earlier in January this yr, China had certainly one of its first #MeToo moments after an academic accused her professor of sexual harassment. He used to be later sacked.
Since then, a veteran journalist, the founder of a outstanding charity and every other instructional have figured a few of the accused public figures.
Symbol copyright EPA Symbol caption There Have Been no survivors on board the Cessna 414 airplane
Image copyright EPA Symbol caption No-one was once injured at the flooring whilst the plane crashed a mile from its destination 
Image copyright EPA Symbol caption Mr Macron and Mr Benalla in Would Possibly 2017, whilst Mr Benalla used to be head of the candidate’s safety