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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Head of Shaolin Temple defrocked as China investigates alleged sexual misconduct
The head of China's Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, has been removed from his religious post and is under investigation for alleged financial and sexual misconduct, according to NBC News. The Buddhist Association of China said on Monday that Shi, who had served as abbot since 1999, has had his ordination certificate revoked. The group cited accusations that he embezzled and misused temple funds and assets. In a separate statement on Sunday, the temple said Shi had broken his vow of celibacy by having what it called 'improper relationships' with women and fathering at least one child. Shi's actions were described as 'severely damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnishing the image of monastics,' the Buddhist Association said. It added that it 'firmly supports' the investigation, which involves several government departments. Shi did not respond to the latest allegations. Calls to the temple went unanswered, according to NBC News. Known for bringing the Shaolin Temple into global attention, Shi led efforts to develop the site in China's Henan province into a major centre for martial arts, tourism, and cultural exchange. Corporate records from Chinese business data provider Qichacha show four companies still listed under his name. Over the years, the temple has opened centres abroad, including in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Shi had previously been accused of similar behaviour. In 2011, he dismissed online rumours about having mistresses and children, telling state-run People's Daily, 'There's no need to vindicate. When things like this happen, just let it go.' In 2015, some of Shi's students accused him of extortion and bribery. A two-year investigation cleared him at the time. The current case has drawn widespread attention on Chinese social media. On Weibo, one user wrote, 'All the wishes I made for wealth and success at the Buddhist temples have come true for the monks', as reported by NBC News.
Daily Maverick
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Shaolin Temple's ‘CEO monk' probed for embezzlement, relations with women
Shi Yongxin, 59, previously a member of China's parliament, is 'suspected of criminal offences, misappropriating and embezzling project funds and the temple's assets,' the temple said in a statement, adding Shi is under joint investigation by multiple agencies. Shi could not immediately be reached for comment. The temple did not answer a call from Reuters. Nicknamed the 'CEO monk' and known for his commercial ambitions, Shi sought to capitalise on the monastery's fame during his decades-long tenure at Shaolin Temple, the fabled birthplace of kung fu and the setting for many martial arts films in the central Chinese province of Henan. Shi has 'seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women over a long period of time' and fathered at least one 'illegitimate' child, the temple said in its statement released on its social media account on Sunday. In a statement issued on Monday, the state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said it approved the revoking of Shi's ordination certificate, adding that his 'behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks.' In 2015, a letter circulated online accusing Shi of misconduct and improper sexual relations. The temple denied the allegations at the time. Shi, known as Liu Yingcheng before he became a monk in 1981, has overseen the temple since 1987 and became its abbot in 1999, the temple's website showed. In 2008, the temple opened an online store, offering a range of goods including shoes, tea, T-shirts, and a kung fu instruction manual for 9,999 yuan ($1,395). Its business ventures over the years also included book publishing, medicine, kung fu performances, film production, asset management and real estate. Shi posted daily on his social media account on Weibo with more than 882,000 followers. Shi was a delegate of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, for around two decades until 2018. He has also been deputy head of China's Buddhist association. ($1 = 7.1685 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Saudi Gazette
21 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
China investigates head monk of Shaolin 'Kung Fu' temple
SINGAPORE — Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by multiple agencies for embezzlement, "improper relationships with multiple women" and "fathering illegitimate children", the temple said on Sunday. The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, located in a mountain range in central China's Henan province, attracts thousands of disciples every year - some from across the world. Mr Shi, who has been Shaolin Temple's abbot since 1999, has earned the nickname "CEO monk" for transforming the institution into a global brand. He has been stripped of his ordination certificate amid the probe, China's Buddhist association said on Monday. The ordination certificate is proof of someone's acceptance into the monastic community. "Shi Yongxin's actions are extremely bad, seriously damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks," the Buddhist Association of China said in its statement. Under his leadership, the temple started opening schools outside China and formed a travelling troupe of monks who performed Shaolin kung fu shows - the temple's signature style of martial arts. News of Mr Shi being investigated was the most read topic on Weibo on Monday morning. The last post on his own Weibo account, which has more than 880,000 followers and had been updated daily with Buddhist teachings, is dated 24 July. Mr Shi also came under scrutiny in 2015 for allegedly having sexual relations with women and embezzling temple funds. He also allegedly received expensive gifts from companies and local governments, including a Volkswagen SUV and a robe with gold thread. He was investigated at the time for embezzlement and fathering several children, but was later cleared of the charges. In an interview with BBC Chinese in 2015, Mr Shi was asked about the allegations of corruption and affairs with women. "If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago," he said at the time. Shaolin Temple also came under fire in 2015 over a plan to build a nearly $300m temple complex which also included a hotel, a kung fu school and a golf course. The name "Shaolin" has gained prominence in pop culture over the years, including being the title of a 1982 film starring Jet Li. The temple is referenced in songs by American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and inspired a spinoff of the video game Mortal Kombat. Although against the doctrine, many Chinese people would not be overly outraged if a monk were to have a mistress or eat meat. Because their time is dedicated to physical combat and their spiritual lives are more of an internal journey related to their training, it is not seen as so morally questionable if they do not stick strictly to traditional Buddhist teachings. However the authorities are said to be investigating Abbot Shi for embezzlement, and this is not viewed with quite so much tolerance. If he is found guilty of fraud and corruption his reputation amongst the Chinese public will be hit very badly. — BBC
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Shaolin Temple's 'CEO monk' probed for embezzlement, relations with women
BEIJING: The abbot of China's famed 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple is under criminal investigation for alleged embezzlement, "improper relationships" with women and fathering illegitimate children, religious authorities said. Shi Yongxin, 59, previously a member of China's parliament, is "suspected of criminal offences, misappropriating and embezzling project funds and the temple's assets," the temple said in a statement, adding Shi is under joint investigation by multiple agencies. Shi could not immediately be reached for comment. The temple did not answer a call from Reuters. Nicknamed the "CEO monk" and known for his commercial ambitions, Shi sought to capitalise on the monastery's fame during his decades-long tenure at Shaolin Temple, the fabled birthplace of kung fu and the setting for many martial arts films in the central Chinese province of Henan. Shi has "seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women over a long period of time" and fathered at least one "illegitimate" child, the temple said in its statement released on its social media account on Sunday. In a statement issued on Monday, the state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said it approved the revoking of Shi's ordination certificate, adding that his "behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks." In 2015, a letter circulated online accusing Shi of misconduct and improper sexual relations. The temple denied the allegations at the time. Shi, known as Liu Yingcheng before he became a monk in 1981, has overseen the temple since 1987 and became its abbot in 1999, the temple's website showed. In 2008, the temple opened an online store, offering a range of goods including shoes, tea, T-shirts, and a kung fu instruction manual for 9,999 yuan (US$1,395). Its business ventures over the years also included book publishing, medicine, kung fu performances, film production, asset management and real estate. Shi posted daily on his social media account on Weibo with more than 882,000 followers. Shi was a delegate of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, for around two decades until 2018. He has also been deputy head of China's Buddhist association.
AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Shaolin Temple's 'CEO monk' probed for embezzlement, relations with women, China News
BEIJING — The abbot of China's famed 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple is under criminal investigation for alleged embezzlement, "improper relationships" with women and fathering illegitimate children, religious authorities said. Shi Yongxin, 59, previously a member of China's parliament, is "suspected of criminal offences, misappropriating and embezzling project funds and the temple's assets," the temple said in a statement, adding Shi is under joint investigation by multiple agencies. Shi could not immediately be reached for comment. The temple did not answer a call from Reuters. Nicknamed the "CEO monk" and known for his commercial ambitions, Shi sought to capitalise on the monastery's fame during his decades-long tenure at Shaolin Temple, the fabled birthplace of kung fu and the setting for many martial arts films in the central Chinese province of Henan. Shi has "seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women over a long period of time" and fathered at least one "illegitimate" child, the temple said in its statement released on its social media account on Sunday. In a statement issued on Monday, the state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said it approved the revoking of Shi's ordination certificate, adding that his "behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks." In 2015, a letter circulated online accusing Shi of misconduct and improper sexual relations. The temple denied the allegations at the time. Shi, known as Liu Yingcheng before he became a monk in 1981, has overseen the temple since 1987 and became its abbot in 1999, the temple's website showed. In 2008, the temple opened an online store, offering a range of goods including shoes, tea, T-shirts, and a kung fu instruction manual for 9,999 yuan (S$1,788). Its business ventures over the years also included book publishing, medicine, kung fu performances, film production, asset management and real estate. Shi posted daily on his social media account on Weibo with more than 882,000 followers. Shi was a delegate of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, for around two decades until 2018. He has also been deputy head of China's Buddhist association. [[nid:720293]]
