China's birthplace of kung fu rocked by embezzlement probe
Abbot Shi Yongxin, known as the "CEO monk" for establishing dozens of companies abroad, is suspected of "embezzling project funds and temple assets", the Shaolin Temple said in a statement on WeChat Sunday.
It said Shi had "seriously violated Buddhist precepts", including by allegedly engaging in "improper relationships" with multiple women.
"Multiple departments" were conducting a joint investigation, the temple said.
Shi has previously been accused by former monks of embezzling money from a temple-run company, maintaining a fleet of luxury cars and fathering children with multiple women.
China's government exercises authority over the appointment of religious leaders, and "improper" conduct is often grounds for removal from office.
A hashtag related to the temple scandal had been viewed over 560 million times on social media platform Weibo, as of Monday morning.
The last post to the abbot's personal account on Weibo declared: "when one's own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present".
Shi faced similar allegations in 2015 which the temple called "vicious libel".
Shi, 59, took office as abbot in 1999 and in the following decades expanded Shaolin studies and cultural knowledge overseas.
He helped the temple establish dozens of companies -- but received backlash for commercialising Buddhism.
The temple, established in AD 495, is known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese kung fu.
Shi was first 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 lawmaking body.
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News.com.au
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- News.com.au
What does Buddhist cult Guan Yin Citta have to do with the CCP?
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News.com.au
4 hours ago
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ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Kmart denies sourcing any products from factories linked to forced labour in China
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And a quarter of Australian companies were not complying with their basic reporting requirements, because there is "no significant enforcement framework," according to a Federal Government review led by John McMillan in 2023, "A non-compliance rate of 25 per cent just by false reporting or not reporting: that shows that the law that we currently have are not sufficient and that we really do need reforms," Professor Nolan said. She said other jurisdictions, such as the European Union and the United States, have moved further, adopting laws that mandated human rights due diligence and implementing forced labour import bans, which Australia lacks. A 2023 independent review of the Act confirmed deep inadequacies and found that "no meaningful change had been shown for people at the greatest risk of modern slavery." 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"You can get your cotton from elsewhere," she said. Ms Kanis, said a successful outcome would be greater transparency and accountability in relation to being able to make claims about ethical sourcing, ensuring these were not "empty claims". Ms Chanisheff, who was born in East Turkestan/Xinjiang, but raised in Australia, still has family and friends in the province. She believes Australians do care about how their products and that "consumers can make a difference". Professor Nolan said without stronger laws, Australia risks becoming a "dumping ground" for goods made with forced labour if other countries implement effective import bans. She also noted a "willingness among Australian companies to go further" and align with global standards, but the current modern slavery law, introduced to federal parliament in 2018 is "not sufficient". "Seven years is a long time to wait for people who are working in modern slavery every day," she said. In a statement, the Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the federal government "is committed to combating modern slavery" and "its immediate priority is implementing its response to the statutory review of the Act to strengthen its operation." Minister Rowland also said the public consultation process "will inform the development of balanced measures to support and incentivise Australian businesses to take actions to eliminate modern slavery risks and practices, and combat them in their supply chains."
