Head of China’s famous Shaolin Temple under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds
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Head of China’s world-famous Buddhist Shaolin Temple under criminal investigation
Shi Yongxin is suspected of criminal offenses, including embezzling and misappropriating project funds and temple assets. He has seriously violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over a long period. He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities.
BEIJING – Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple in Henan province, is suspected of criminal offenses, including embezzling and misappropriating project funds and temple assets, according to a notice released on the temple’s official website on Sunday.
He has seriously violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child. He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities. Relevant updates will be disclosed to the public in a timely manner, the notice said.
The temple is a world-famous Buddhist sanctuary and the birthplace of kung fu.
Previous reports said Shi is an influential figure in the Chinese Buddhist community, known for promoting the internationalization of Shaolin culture. His impact extends beyond religion to culture, diplomacy, and business.
Born in 1965, he became a monk in 1981 and has served as the 30th abbot of the temple since 1999.
Previous reports also noted that he is known for managing the temple using modern management practices and has faced controversy over its commercialization.
Head of Shaolin Temple in China under investigation on suspicion of embezzlement
Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offences and violated Buddhist precepts. He is accused of maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child. 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.
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.
Shaolin Temple leader under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds
Shi Yongxin is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets. He is alleged to have committed criminal offences and seriously violated the Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period. Local media reported that the abbot had been hit by scandalous accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children. He was known as a ‘CEO monk’ as one of the first Chinese monks to obtain an MBA.
Shi Yongxin was alleged to have committed criminal offences and seriously violated the 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 are conducting a joint investigation against Shi Yongxin, and relevant findings would be announced to the public in due course.
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The fame of the Shaolin Temple, based in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution.
Shi Yongxin, third from right, is alleged to have committed several offences (Chinatopix via AP)
It is also famous 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.
The news about Shi Yongxin, whose original name Liu Yingcheng, ranked top on Chinese search engine Baidu and X-like social media platform Weibo on Sunday night.
Local media reported that the abbot had been hit by scandalous accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money. According to news outlet Caixin Global, provincial investigation reports exonerated him of all charges in 2016.
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Shi Yongxin entered Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple’s website. Xinhua in 2015 reported that he was known as a “CEO monk,” as one of the first Chinese monks to obtain an MBA, and he had sparked controversy for developing commercial operations like lucrative kung fu shows and merchandise.
Earlier on Sunday, Chinese local media outlets reported that authorities had dismissed an online notice claiming Shi Yongxin was intercepted by authorities while trying to flee with his mistresses and children as fake.