少林寺方丈释永信缺席活动引揣测

Speculation rose after a controversial Shaolin Temple abbot failed to appear at a cultural exchange activity in Thailand this weekend.

少林寺方丈释永信周末缺席在泰国举行的文化交流活动，引发外界揣测。

The 50-year-old abbot was expected at the weeklong "Shaolin Culture on Silk Road" event but sent a letter of apology saying he had to deal with "unexpected official duties".

50岁的释永信原定出席为期一周的"少林文化丝路行"，但却只发来了一封道歉信，称因为要处理紧急官方事务不能到场。

Qian Daliang, the general manager of the temple's Shaolin Intangible Assets management Co, said Shi didn't go to Thailand because he was being investigated by religious affairs authorities in Dengfeng, Henan.

少林无形资产管理有限公司总经理钱大梁称，释永信未能去泰国，原因是正在接受河南省登封市宗教局的调查。

Controversy swirled around Shi Yongxin after being accused by a self-proclaimed follower as an "embezzler and womanizer".

释永信近日被自称其弟子的人举报贪污钱财、玩弄女性，引发巨大争议。