New Delhi, July 30 -- China on Wednesday, July 30, dismissed the abbot of the iconic 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple amid allegations of corruption, "sexual misconduct" and fathering illegitimate children and appointed a new abbot.

The previous abbot, Shi Yongxin - also known as the "CEO monk" - has been under joint criminal investigation over alleged misappropriation of project funds and temple assets by multiple agencies.

Buddhist monks in China are bound by a vow of celibacy, but Shi Yongxin, who led the Shaolin Temple for 25 years, broke monastic precepts by becoming embroiled in a sex scandal.

He is accused of "maintaining improper relationships with multiple women". According to the temple, Shi Yongxin is also accused of fathering ...