China's famous Shaleader is under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds
Shi Yongxin was alleged to have committed criminal offenses 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 were conducting a joint investigation against Shi Yongxin, and relevant findings would be announced to the public 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 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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Anaconda shooting: Montana manhunt intensifies for veteran accused after 4 killed; kin says suspect struggled with mental health issues
(Photo credit: AP) US Police continued scouring the rugged mountains of Montana on Saturday as the search for Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old military veteran accused of fatally shooting four people at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, entered its second day. Brown fled the scene in a white pickup truck, which was later abandoned, according to Lee Johnson of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. Johnson urged residents Friday night to stay indoors and remain alert. Authorities also released a photo of Brown, reportedly taken as he fled. In the image, he appears gaunt, barefoot, and dressed only in black shorts while walking down a set of outdoor concrete steps. "While law enforcement has not received reports of Brown harming any other individuals, he is believed to be armed, and he is extremely dangerous," Johnson said. The search concentrated near Stumptown Road, west of Anaconda, involving multiple agencies at ground level and in the air. Local businesses were permitted to operate, though Chief Bill Sather advised vigilance. Victim identifications await family notifications. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Johnson emphasised the impact on the community: "This is a small, tight-knit community that has been harmed by the heinous actions of one individual who does not represent what this community or Montanans stand for." The bar owner, David Gwerder, confirmed Brown lived adjacent to the establishment. The victims included the bartender and three customers. "He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that," Gwerder told the Associated Press. "He didn't have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped." Brown's military service included Army deployment to Iraq (2004-2005) and Montana National Guard service until March 2009, reaching sergeant rank. His niece, Clare Boyle, indicated Brown's ongoing mental health challenges: "This isn't just a drunk/high man going wild," she said via Facebook. "It's a sick man who doesn't know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn't know where or when he is either." As authorities lifted the Stumptown Road lockdown, retired officer Randy Clark observed helicopter surveillance and ground operations. Local businesses had earlier implemented security measures, with owners and customers sheltering inside. Anaconda, situated 25 miles northwest of Butte with approximately 9,000 residents, was established by copper industry magnates in the late 1800s. A defunct smelter stack remains prominent in the valley.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Attacks in China and Japan raise concerns about xenophobia in both countries
A Japanese woman living in China was attacked and injured by a man in a Suzhou subway station, Japanese media outlets said, hours after two Chinese men were seriously injured in violence in Tokyo. The attacks on Thursday raised concern about xenophobic sentiment in both China and Japan that have been blamed for assaults in both countries. It was the third attack involving Japanese living in China since last year. In the two previous cases in China, Chinese authorities have insisted they were isolated incidents. The Japanese broadcaster NHK did not identify the woman injured in Suzhou by name but, citing the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, said she was with her child inside a subway station when the attack took place. The child was not injured, and the mother had returned home after reportedly getting treated at a hospital, NHK reported. A phone call to the Suzhou Police went unanswered on Friday evening, and the local police were yet to release any official statement. But the Japanese news agency Kyodo said the suspect had been detained. In Tokyo earlier on Thursday, two Chinese men were seriously injured in attacks, and four male assailants wielding unspecified weapons remained at large, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Japan. The identities of the assailants were unclear. The Chinese Embassy urged the Japanese authorities to take action to catch the assailants in the Tokyo attack and to ensure the safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens in Japan 'in response to the recent surge in xenophobic sentiment in Japanese society.' In southern China last September, a 10-year-old Japanese student died after being stabbed by a Chinese man not far from the gate of the Shenzhen Japanese School in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. The man was sentenced to death. In June 2024, a Japanese woman and her child were injured in an attack by a Chinese man, also in Suzhou. A Chinese bus attendant who tried to protect them from the attack was killed. The man was sentenced to death. On Friday, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China called for Chinese authorities to ensure Japanese citizens' safety and security in China. 'It is extremely regrettable that such an incident has happened again. Ensuring the safety of employees and their families is fundamental for doing business in China,' the statement said.
Economic Times
5 hours ago
- Economic Times
Ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith under investigation for alleged illegal political activity; here's what you need to know
FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Synopsis Former special counsel Jack Smith, who previously investigated Donald Trump, is now under investigation himself by the Office of Special Counsel. The probe was initiated following accusations from Republican allies, including Senator Tom Cotton, alleging Smith violated the Hatch Act. These accusations suggest Smith's actions were politically motivated to aid the Democratic ticket before Trump's reelection. Jack Smith, the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his reelection to a second term, is now being investigated by federal officials. Following the reports by other news organizations, the investigation was confirmed on Saturday (August 2, 2025) by the Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency. ADVERTISEMENT Smith was named special counsel to investigate Trump by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022. Trump and his Republican allies, including Sen. Tom Cotton, have, without offering evidence of wrongdoing, accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity. Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election. Smith ultimately dropped the cases; neither one had gone to trial after Trump was reelected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to longstanding Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special R-Ark., on Wednesday asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Smith, alleging that his conduct was designed to help then-President Joe Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, both Democrats. Biden had dropped his bid for reelection following his disastrous performance in a campaign debate against Trump and tapped Harris to succeed him on the ticket. Trump won the election and returned to the White House for a second term. The New York Post was first to report on the investigation into Smith. ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. Anaconda Bar Shooting: Investigators find suspect's truck in manhunt after 4 killed; details inside Anaconda Bar Shooting: Investigators find suspect's truck in manhunt after 4 killed; details inside Humanoid robot roams NYC, tries on sneakers, grabs hot dogs, and amazes New Yorkers Humanoid robot roams NYC, tries on sneakers, grabs hot dogs, and amazes New Yorkers Grow a Garden: How to get Grandmaster Sprinkler; here's the complete guide Grow a Garden: How to get Grandmaster Sprinkler; here's the complete guide Your August 3, 2025 daily horoscope: Moon in Libra and Mercury shifts bring emotional and mental breakthroughs—what's your sign's message today? Your August 3, 2025 daily horoscope: Moon in Libra and Mercury shifts bring emotional and mental breakthroughs—what's your sign's message today? Happy Friendship Day 2025 wishes, quotes, images, and captions: Viral greetings and heartfelt messages to celebrate the bond that lasts forever Happy Friendship Day 2025 wishes, quotes, images, and captions: Viral greetings and heartfelt messages to celebrate the bond that lasts forever Flirty? Trump can't stop praising Karoline Leavitt: 'That face, that brain, those lips!' Flirty? Trump can't stop praising Karoline Leavitt: 'That face, that brain, those lips!' Why was Chargers LB Denzel Perryman arrested? Team issues statement after weapons charge Why was Chargers LB Denzel Perryman arrested? Team issues statement after weapons charge Is a US recession imminent? A wake-up call as Trump's tariff shock meets collapsing job growth and Wall Street flashes crisis signals Is a US recession imminent? A wake-up call as Trump's tariff shock meets collapsing job growth and Wall Street flashes crisis signals Trading guide Grow a Garden: How to exchange Fruits and Pets — security measures, restrictions, and limitations Trading guide Grow a Garden: How to exchange Fruits and Pets — security measures, restrictions, and limitations Texas tax-free weekend 2025 is here — what you can buy tax-free from Aug 8–10 will surprise you NEXT STORY
