China's Shaolin Temple chief faces probe over sex scandal, embezzlement
He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities. Relevant updates will be disclosed to the public in a timely manner, it added.Founded in 495 AD, the temple is located in the foothills of Song Mountain in China's Henan province. It is associated with Chan Buddhism, also known as Zen, and is associated with Mahayana Buddhism.Besides its historical and religious significance, it is a renowned centre for training in martial arts, attracting students from all over the world.The temple is also a popular tourist destination.- Ends
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First Post
6 hours ago
- First Post
Sex scandal, illegitimate children and more: Why head monk of China's famous Shaolin Temple is under investigation
Shaolin Temple's abbot, Shi Yongxin, known as the 'CEO monk', is under investigation for alleged embezzlement, misuse of temple funds and violating Buddhist vows by having 'improper relationships' and 'fathering illegitimate children'. Authorities have revoked the ordination certificate of the monk who turned the 1,500-year-old temple into a global cultural and commercial brand read more Buddhist abbot Shi Yongxin talks to reporters at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City in China's central eastern province of Henan, May 11, 2006. File Image/Reuters The Shaolin Temple is one of the most iconic religious and cultural landmarks in China. Now, its abbot, Shi Yongxin, has been placed under formal investigation over allegations of embezzlement, financial impropriety and breaches of Buddhist discipline. The case has put a spotlight on years of controversy surrounding Shi, often referred to as the 'CEO monk,' for his role in transforming the 1,500-year-old monastery into a global commercial brand. What are the allegations against Shi Yongxin? A statement released on the temple's official WeChat account confirmed that Shi is suspected of diverting and misusing project funds, as well as temple-owned assets. Beyond financial wrongdoing, he has been accused of long-term 'improper relationships' with multiple women and fathering at least one child — accusations that go against the Buddhist vow of celibacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The statement noted that the 59-year-old abbot is currently under a 'joint investigation by multiple departments,' adding that more details will be made public as the inquiry progresses. In a move highlighting the seriousness of the accusations, the Buddhist Association of China announced on Monday that it had revoked Shi's ordination certificate — a document that grants official recognition of monastic status. The association condemned his alleged actions, stating: 'Shi Yongxin's actions are of an extremely egregious nature, severely tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist community and damaging the image of monastics.' Shi has not made any public statement responding to the charges, and attempts by international media to contact him have so far received no reply. Who is Shi Yongxin? Born in 1965 in Yingshang, Anhui province, Shi Yongxin — originally named Liu Yingcheng — first arrived at the Shaolin Temple in 1981. He became a disciple of the 29th-generation abbot, Shi Xingzheng, and later assumed responsibility for temple management after his teacher's death in 1987. By 1999, he was formally appointed abbot, a position that placed him at the helm of one of China's most renowned religious sites. Shaolin Temple, located in Henan province's Songshan Mountains, is not only a place of worship but also the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu. President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge (L) and Buddhist abbot Shi Yongxin watch martial arts performance at Shaolin Temple in Songshan, central China's Henan province, August 9, 2007. File Image/Reuters The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered both for its spiritual legacy and its martial arts traditions that have been celebrated in films, literature and pop culture — including the landmark 1982 movie The Shaolin Temple starring Jet Li. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A remake was made in 2011 starring Jackie Chan. Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan (L) holds a giant incense stick with Buddhist abbot Shi Yongxin, while actor Andy Lau (C) looks on, at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan province, October 22, 2009. File Image/Reuters Shi became known as the first Chinese abbot to earn a Master of Business Administration degree, a qualification that would later shape his approach to temple management. Under his leadership, Shaolin transitioned from a historic monastery into a sprawling brand. He licensed the Shaolin name for use in films, cartoons and video games, and built a network of businesses that spanned real estate, publishing, traditional medicine and global tourism. This drive to modernise made him a high-profile figure — but also drew criticism from those who accused him of commercialising the temple's sacred heritage. His frequent appearances abroad, often with an iPhone in hand and photographed alongside figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Henry Kissinger and Apple CEO Tim Cook, only heightened his reputation as the 'CEO monk.' Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) accompanied by Yongxin (R), head monk of Shaolin Temple, which is famous for martial arts or Kungfu, visits Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan province, March 22, 2006. File Image/China Daily via Reuters In defending his approach, Shi argued that promoting Shaolin culture globally was essential for its preservation. When questioned about his initiatives, he once remarked: 'Cultural promotion is a very dignified undertaking.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After signing a $3 million deal to create a Shaolin branch in Australia, he famously asked: 'If China can import Disney resorts, why can't other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?' What does Shi's tenure at Shaolin tell us? As far back as 2006, Shi faced public anger for accepting a 1 million yuan ($140,000) luxury car from local authorities as a reward for boosting tourism. Responding to the uproar, Shi defended himself, saying: 'Monks are also citizens. We have fulfilled our duties and made contributions to society, so it is only right that we receive rewards.' In 2015, accusations against Shi escalated dramatically when an individual claiming to have insider knowledge posted allegations on Chinese social media. The claims painted him as an embezzler and a womaniser with multiple illegitimate children. The posts included documents dating to the late 1980s, including a supposed birth certificate for one of the abbot's alleged children and photographs of the mother and child. Shi strongly denied the allegations at the time. In an interview with BBC Chinese, he responded: 'If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.' Authorities launched an investigation into the claims but, by 2017, concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite this, Shi continued to hold prominent positions within China's religious hierarchy. He was re-elected as deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China in 2020, a role he had held since 2002. He also served as president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association since 1998 and represented his region in China's National People's Congress from 1998 to 2018. Where is Shi Yongxin now? The present investigation appears to have begun late last week, with the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer reporting that Shi was taken into custody by police in Xinxiang, a city in northern Henan. Social media rumours about his whereabouts increased over the weekend, some even falsely claiming he had attempted to flee to the United States with multiple mistresses and children — a story that authorities quickly dismissed as fabricated. Despite being one of China's most recognisable monks, Shi's public communications have ceased since the news broke. His Weibo account, where he has amassed more than 870,000 followers and typically posts daily, has been inactive since last Thursday. On Monday, his removal as an ordained monk by the Buddhist Association of China added further weight to the unfolding events. The association stated that it 'firmly supports and endorses the decision to handle Shi Yongxin's case in accordance with the law.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What about the Shaolin Temple? Founded more than 1,500 years ago, Shaolin Temple is more than just a religious site; it is an enduring symbol of Chinese culture and martial arts. Under Shi, the temple expanded worldwide, creating over 50 Shaolin cultural centres abroad and staging kung fu performances that reached audiences across continents. Shaolin martial arts students perform at Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, Henan province, October 13, 2013. File Image/Reuters Critics claim that Shaolin's spiritual values were diluted by aggressive branding and business ventures, while supporters argue Shi helped ensure the temple's relevance in the modern world. With inputs from agencies
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
China's "CEO Monk" Of Famous Shaolin Temple Under Probe For Embezzling Funds
Beijing: China's famous Shaolin Temple announced on Sunday 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 offenses 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. 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. Earlier 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 U.S. with a number of mistresses and some 20 children.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kung fu birthplace under embezzlement probe: Head of China's Shaolin Temple accused of improper relationships with women
Chinese authorities have launched a multi-agency probe into Shi Yongxin, the influential abbot of the popular Shaolin Temple, over allegations of embezzlement and other serious misconduct, the temple said. The establishment is revered globally as the birthplace of kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Multiple agencies investigating Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin for alleged misconduct(File Photo/AP) The Shaolin Temple, located in central Henan province, issued a statement on its official WeChat account on Sunday, stating that Shi Yongxin is suspected of 'embezzling project funds and temple assets,' news agency AFP reported. The statement added that the abbot, popularly dubbed the 'CEO monk' for overseeing a network of commercial ventures at home and abroad, had 'seriously violated Buddhist precepts,' including allegedly engaging in 'improper relationships' with multiple women. 'Multiple departments' are involved in the investigation, the temple added. Past controversies of Shi Yongxin The 59-year-old has previously faced similar allegations in 2015, including misusing temple-run finances, owning a fleet of luxury cars, and fathering children. At that time, the temple had dismissed those accusations as 'vicious libel.' Despite denials, the current investigation appears more serious, with formal involvement of state authorities. In China, religious leadership is subject to government approval, and evidence of 'improper' behavior can lead to removal from official posts. The latest investigation has garnered a lot of eyeballs and public interest as a hashtag related to the Shaolin Temple scandal had garnered over 560 million views on Chinese social media platform Weibo, as of Monday morning. The abbot's last post on his personal Weibo account read: 'When one's own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present.' Rise of the 'CEO monk' Shi Yongxin became the abbot of Shaolin Temple in 1999 and spearheaded the global promotion of Shaolin culture, founding dozens of businesses and cultural initiatives abroad. His efforts earned him criticism for allegedly commercialising Buddhism. Established in AD 495, the Shaolin Temple is considered one of China's most sacred religious institutions. Shi was elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002 and has served as a representative to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body. (With AFP inputs)
