When the #MeToo Wave Hit Beijing’s Monastery
The August 3, 2018 bulletin from China’s top religious authority sounded like a plot twist in a thriller: a revered Buddhist abbot who also sits in a Communist Party committee was accused by two former monks of coaxing a handful of nuns into unwanted encounters. One of the country’s most headline‑making #MeToo moments, it sparked a rapid investigation.
What the Allegations Say
- The 95‑page black‑and‑white dossier, penned by the two ex‑monks, claims the abbot – Xuecheng – sent illicit text messages to at least six women, offering or threatening them for sex.
- According to the report, four nuns bowed under his pressure, while he tried to justify it as part of their “Buddhist studies” – a mind‑control game that, frankly, sounds more like a demented script.
- He’s not just a spiritual figure; he also chairs the Buddhist Association of China and sits on the top advisory board of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs hit back with a stern statement: “We’ve received the material and are on it. The claims are very serious.” The monastery, however, brushed the dossier off as a blatant assault on reputation, labeling it a “deliberate falsehood” that “should be treated as a crime.” The platform Weibo, China’s Twitter cousin, saw the posts bulldozed or censored.
From the Monastery’s Spin to the Public’s Outcry
After Xuecheng was taken in for questioning, he eventually got out. One of the accusers says he felt forced to speak up because the authorities swept the issue under a rug and said they couldn’t investigate.
China currently lacks a clear legal definition for sexual harassment and no nationwide rules for tackling assault in schools or workplaces. Nevertheless, the stumbling block of the #MeToo movement – once it erupted in China earlier this year – has encouraged thousands, especially on university campuses, to confront close‑quarters intimidation and sexual misconduct.
Why the Scandal is Big
- Xuecheng is a social media superstar with millions of followers.
- The Longquan Monastery on Beijing’s edge is famous for blending ancient prayers with modern tech, even launching a {two‑foot‑high} robot monk last year that recites mantras.
- Unlike the West, where #MeToo has coaxed resignations and a public debate, Chinese authorities have been playing “who can stay on top of this?” – sometimes allowing chatter, other times wiping it out.
In short, this tale is a sideways look at how a flood of “women speaking up” can hit the ancient walls of Beijing’s monasteries: once it hits, the ripple of exposure and reaction cannot be muted forever.
