China’s famous Shaolin Temple has announced that its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets.

Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offences and violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple’s authority on its WeChat account.

The notice said a joint investigation was being carried out by multiple departments and its findings would be announced in due course.

On Monday, China’s Buddhist Association stripped Shi of his ordination certificate, accusing him of “seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks”. Shi has not responded publicly to the allegations. The Guardian has contacted him for comment.

The fame of the Shaolin Temple, based in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution. It is also renowned for its martial arts culture, or kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, starring martial arts superstar Jet Li.

Local media reported that Shi Yongxin, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money. Provincial investigation reports exonerated him of all charges in 2016, according to the Caixin Global news outlet.

Shi Yongxin entered the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple’s website.

China’s state news agency Xinhua reported in 2015 that he was known as a “CEO monk,” attracting criticism for developing commercial operations to promote kung fu shows and merchandise.

On Sunday, Chinese local media outlets reported that authorities had dismissed as fake an online notice claiming Shi Yongxin was intercepted by authorities while trying to flee to the US with a number of mistresses and about 20 children.

China’s renowned Shaolin Temple has found itself at the centre of controversy as its influential abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under criminal investigation for alleged embezzlement, sexual misconduct, and violations of Buddhist precepts. The temple, situated in Henan province, issued a formal statement confirming the probe, which is reportedly being conducted jointly by several government departments. According to a notice quoted by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Shi Yongxin is suspected of misusing project funds and temple property, and of maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period. The allegations further state that he has fathered at least one child outside of marriage, a direct violation of Buddhist celibacy rules.

“He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities,” the statement read. “Relevant updates will be disclosed to the public in a timely manner.”

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‘CEO Monk’

The Shaolin Temple, founded in 495 AD, is globally revered as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese kung fu. Nestled at the foot of Song Mountain, the temple has long been a cultural and spiritual landmark in China, attracting pilgrims, martial artists, and tourists from around the world. The image of Shaolin warrior monks has been mythologised in movies and popular media for decades, turning the temple into a symbol of both discipline and tradition.

27th July 2025 – (Zhengzhou) Last Saturday (26th), the Shaolin Temple, renowned as the world’s foremost Buddhist sanctuary, was rocked by startling news of the investigation involving its abbot, Shi Yongxin (59 years old). While three temple monks refrained from directly addressing the rumours, one simply stated, “Await official information.” Shi Yongxin’s personal microblog has ceased updates, with the latest post dated Thursday (24th) at 6:58 am. Similarly, the last message from the WeChat public account “Shi Yongxin Master” was also on Thursday, with the account certified under “China’s Songshan Shaolin Temple.”

By Sunday evening, the Shaolin Temple management confirmed that Shi Yongxin is under suspicion of criminal offences, including misappropriating project funds and temple assets, along with severe violations of Buddhist precepts. It was disclosed that he had maintained improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period and fathered illegitimate children, prompting a comprehensive investigation by various authorities.

Amid speculations concerning Shi Yongxin’s situation, one monk emphasised being “away for learning, unaware,” while another abruptly ended a phone call. A police alert, purportedly from the Kaifeng Public Security Bureau, circulated online, alleging that Shi Yongxin, accompanied by 34 individuals (including 7 lovers, 21 children, and 6 temple staff), attempted to board a flight to Los Angeles via Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Saturday morning at 11:21, intending to flee on Eastern Airlines MU 583. However, authorities intercepted the group. The Kaifeng Public Security Bureau clarified yesterday that this alert was false, urging netizens not to perpetuate the misinformation and to assist in identifying the origin of the rumour.

The Shaolin Temple’s official website last reported Shi Yongxin’s appearance at a public event on the 7th of this month, where he participated in a meeting with all temple monks. Shi Yongxin’s personal microblog was established on March 20, 2018, with a total of 4,005 posts as of the 24th of this month, averaging around 1.5 posts per day, and boasting 879,000 followers. Shi Yongxin, also known as Liu Yingcheng in secular life, hails from Anhui’s Yingshang. Since 1999, he has served as the abbot of the Shaolin Temple. Additionally, he has held positions such as President of the Henan Buddhist Association since July 1998, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association since September 2002, and has been consecutively elected as the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth National People’s Congress Representative since March 1998.

Under Shi Yongxin’s leadership, the Shaolin Temple has embarked on internationalisation, giving rise to a martial arts school education industry centred around the temple. Nonetheless, criticisms have emerged questioning the commercialisation, which appears to contradict the principles of simplicity and detachment espoused by Buddhism. In 2015, Shi Yongxin faced allegations of engaging in sexual relations with multiple women, fathering children, and illicitly acquiring the abbot position. Following an investigation by the religious affairs department in Henan province, these accusations were debunked as baseless.

China’s famous Shaolin Temple says its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets.

Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offences and violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple’s authority on its WeChat account.

The notice said multiple departments were completing a joint investigation, and its findings would be announced in due course.

Shi Yongxin, as seen in 2024. (Supplied: China News Service)

An online notice claiming authorities intercepted Shi Yongxin while he was trying to flee to the US with several mistresses and some 20 children was dismissed as fake by Chinese authorities.

“The investigation of Shi Yongxin is undoubtedly the most sensational case of corruption in a Buddhist temple in recent years,” Hu Xijin, the former editor of state-run Global Times newspaper and a prominent commentator, wrote on the social media site Weibo, where the Shaolin Temple story was trending.

” It tells people that in today’s China, there is no place that can be considered a ‘safe haven’ for corrupt practices. ”

Local media reported that Shi Yongxin, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money.

Provincial investigation reports exonerated Shi Yongxin of all charges in 2016, according to the Caixin Global news outlet.

“I was in awe seeing the news again as I thought it had already been dealt with,” Weibo user Tianyalizhixing posted over the weekend.

High-profile temple

The fame of the Shaolin Temple, in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution.

It is also renowned for being the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, starring martial arts superstar Jet Li.

Shaolin martial arts students perform for tourists. (Reuters)

Shi Yongxin entered the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple’s website.

China’s state news agency Xinhua reported in 2015 that he was known as a “CEO monk”, attracting criticism for developing commercial operations to promote kung fu shows and merchandise.

Shi Yongxin was elected as vice-chairperson of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002, state media reported.

AP/ABC

Sexual relations with women, fathering children, and corruption, Abbot of Shaolin Temple in China face serious allegations, his net worth…, owns cars like…

In the mountainous region of China’s Henan province lies the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, which attracts thousands of devotees every year — many of them traveling from around the world.

By Victor Dasgupta Edited by Victor Dasgupta

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New Delhi: Shi Yongxin, the chief abbot of the Shaolin Temple in China, has landed in a massive controversy. Shaolin Temple, a major centre of Buddhist faith, has issued a statement where it has informed that Shi Yongxin is under investigation over allegations of corruption, having illicit relationships with multiple women, and fathering children.

China Daily, China’s state-run newspaper, reported that Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple in Henan province, is suspected of involvement in criminal activities. The report also added that the abbot maintained inappropriate relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathered children, thereby committing a serious violation of the principles of the Buddhist faith. In the mountainous region of China’s Henan province lies the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, which attracts thousands of devotees every year — many of them traveling from around the world.

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All You Need To Know About Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple was established in the 5th century

Shaolin Temple has not only been a center of Buddhist faith but also a cradle for the development of martial arts.

Shi Yongxin has been the abbot of the Shaolin Temple since 1999.

He earned the nickname “CEO Monk” for transforming the institution into a global brand.

Under his leadership, the temple began opening schools outside China and formed a touring troupe of monks who performed Shaolin Kung Fu shows.

According to the BBC, news of Shi’s arrest became the most-read topic on Weibo.

His own Weibo account, which has over 880,000 followers and used to be updated daily with Buddhist teachings, last posted on July 24.

The BBC also reported that in 2015, Shi was investigated for allegedly having sexual relationships with women and embezzling temple funds.

He had also received expensive gifts from companies and local governments, including a Volkswagen SUV and a garment woven with gold threads.

At the time, he was investigated for embezzlement and being the father of several children, but he was later cleared of those charges. In a 2015 interview with BBC China, Shi was questioned about allegations of corruption and relationships with women.

At that time, he had said, “If there had been any problem, it would have come to light much earlier.”

The Shaolin Temple also came under criticism in 2015 over plans to build a temple complex worth nearly 300 million dollars. The project included a hotel, a kung fu school, and a golf course

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