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Sunday, August 26, 2018

Top Chinese Buddhist monk Xuecheng quits amid sex probe



Xuecheng stepped down from his post as president of the Buddhist Association of China. He is accused of sending explicit text messages to at least six women, threatening or cajoling them to have sex with him.PHOTO: REUTERS 

Published
Aug 15, 2018, 2:01 pm SGT 

BEIJING (AFP) - The head of China's government-run Buddhist association quit his post on Wednesday (Aug 15) amid an investigation into allegations that he coerced several nuns into having sex with him.
Xuecheng, a Communist Party member and abbot of the Beijing Longquan Monastery, is one of the most prominent figures to face accusations in China's growing #MeToo movement.
In a 95-page report that circulated online late last month, two monks accused 51-year-old Xuecheng of sending explicit text messages to at least six women, threatening or cajoling them to have sex with him.
China's top religious authority launched an investigation shortly after the allegations were made public.
Xuecheng stepped down at a meeting of the Buddhist Association of China on Wednesday.
"The council accepted Xuecheng's resignation as president of the Buddhist Association of China," said a statement posted on Wednesday on the association's website.
It was tucked into a long report detailing a council meeting which neither elaborated on the abbot's reasons for quitting nor referred to the recent probe.
The same statement was also posted by the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the government body overseeing religious groups.
A prominent personality in Chinese Buddhist life with a social media following of millions, Xuecheng's Twitter-like Weibo account has been silent since Aug 1, when he posted a statement rejecting allegations of sexual misconduct.
In their report, the two monks, who are no longer members of the monastery, said four women gave in to Xuecheng's demands.
One of the authors said on social media that he was compelled to speak out after the victims were ignored by the authorities, who said they could not investigate the matter.
The report and posts about it have been taken down or censored on social media.
There is no legal definition of sexual harassment in China and no national regulations on how to handle sexual assault cases in schools and workplaces.
The #MeToo movement ignited in China earlier this year, with more women starting to open up about sexual assaults, especially on university campuses.
Unlike in the West, where #MeToo has forced resignations and sparked widespread public debate, the authorities in China have sought to control the discussion, sometimes allowing and at other times censoring social media commentary.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Bring home a blessed Medicine Buddha

Medicine Buddha is the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahayana Buddhism.
The practice of Medicine Buddha is a powerful method for healing and an antidote for overcoming all sickness and sufferings caused by greed, hatred and delusion..
The Medicine Buddha Sutra states:
“Wherever there are sentient beings who hold fast to the name of the Medicine Buddha and respectfully make offerings to him, whether in villages, towns, kingdoms or in the wilderness, we, the Twelve Generals, will all protect them. We will release them from all suffering and calamities and see to it that all their wishes are fulfilled.”

供奉药师琉璃光如来

药师琉璃光如来是大乘佛教公认的大医王,药师佛的法门有强大治愈力,能增进自他治疗力的修持方法,更是一剂能根除因贪、嗔、痴形成的身心痛苦的良药。

Medicine Buddha Statue 供奉药师琉璃光如来
Offering Payable 每尊: $108 数量有限, 欢迎预订
Reservation: Front Office | 6849 5333 | 9.00 am – 4 pm daily
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