Chinese authorities say Shaolin Temple abbot not arrested

Chinese authorities say Shaolin Temple abbot not arrested

BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Saturday saidallegation that Shi Yongxin, the current abbot of Shaolin Temple,was arrested for soliciting prostitutes was totally rumor.

The confirmation that disproved Shi's alleged sex scandal from astatement by State Administration for Religious Affairs came afteronline reports about Shi since May.

"We seriously condemn the rumor since it was not only defamationof Shi himself, but also harmed the image of the famous shrine andeven reputation of Chinese Buddhism," the statement said.

The administration asked religous figures, Buddhism believers andthe Internet users not to believe and spread the rumor, according tothe statement.