Taoist 'master' exposed
By Li Xinran |
August 20, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A TAOIST priest who was a favorite of celebrities and who was regarded as a "supreme master" by believers is no longer a religious leader. Instead, his reputation is in tatters.
The state religious authority has started an investigation into Li Yi, the Beijing News reported yesterday.
Li, head of a Taoist temple in Chongqing Municipality, falsified demonstrations of his alleged supernatural abilities, according to the local ethnic and religious office, which added that Li is a debtor who has ignored court rulings to repay millions of yuan.
No evidence has emerged, however, to support a disciple's allegation of rape, the newspaper said.
Li used to be well-known for sitting cross-legged beneath water in a television show. Li said in an interview after the TV show that he could hold the position in water without breathing for more than two hours because of a unique Taoist skill he learnt. But the truth is, he sat in a sealed air-sufficient container, which was submerged in water in a bigger glass cylinder.
Li was ordered by a local court to repay a debt to a business partner of more than 2 million yuan (US$294,500), ostensibly meant to promote a local Taoist scenic site and traditional health program. He never repaid the money, authorities said.
Although Li was elected in June to be deputy chairman of the Chinese Taoist Association, the country's top Taoist body, he became an eligible Taoist only four years ago. It was revealed recently.
His followers have included Jack Ma, leader of the world's biggest online trade platform Alibaba.com and domestic online shopping portal Taobao.com; singer and actress Faye Wong; and film director Zhang Jizhong.
Li often conducted training courses with female disciples, China Business News reported yesterday.
Though his temple demanded HIV tests of any trainers before they were granted admission, no evidence has surfaced to indicate sexual intercourse occurred during the training sessions.
The state religious authority has started an investigation into Li Yi, the Beijing News reported yesterday.
Li, head of a Taoist temple in Chongqing Municipality, falsified demonstrations of his alleged supernatural abilities, according to the local ethnic and religious office, which added that Li is a debtor who has ignored court rulings to repay millions of yuan.
No evidence has emerged, however, to support a disciple's allegation of rape, the newspaper said.
Li used to be well-known for sitting cross-legged beneath water in a television show. Li said in an interview after the TV show that he could hold the position in water without breathing for more than two hours because of a unique Taoist skill he learnt. But the truth is, he sat in a sealed air-sufficient container, which was submerged in water in a bigger glass cylinder.
Li was ordered by a local court to repay a debt to a business partner of more than 2 million yuan (US$294,500), ostensibly meant to promote a local Taoist scenic site and traditional health program. He never repaid the money, authorities said.
Although Li was elected in June to be deputy chairman of the Chinese Taoist Association, the country's top Taoist body, he became an eligible Taoist only four years ago. It was revealed recently.
His followers have included Jack Ma, leader of the world's biggest online trade platform Alibaba.com and domestic online shopping portal Taobao.com; singer and actress Faye Wong; and film director Zhang Jizhong.
Li often conducted training courses with female disciples, China Business News reported yesterday.
Though his temple demanded HIV tests of any trainers before they were granted admission, no evidence has surfaced to indicate sexual intercourse occurred during the training sessions.
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