Latest news with #Shi
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Shaolin Temple's 'CEO monk' probed for fraud, fathering children with multiple women
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." 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. 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. Reuters
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'CEO Monk' scandal: Shaolin temple chief under fire for 'bad behaviour & improper relationships'; accused of misusing funds
(Photo: AP) The Buddhist Association of China announced on Monday that the head of the famous Shaolin Temple, known as the birthplace of kung fu, will be removed from his position for "extremely bad behavior. " The decision came on Sunday after the Shaolin Temple revealed that Abbot Shi Yongxin, nicknamed the "CEO monk" for his international business ventures, was under investigation for allegedly misusing temple funds and project money. The temple stated that Shi had gravely violated Buddhist principles, including accusations of having "improper relationships" with several women, AFP reported. A joint investigation involving "multiple departments" was underway, according to their WeChat statement. The Buddhist Association of China, under Communist Party oversight, announced Monday its decision to revoke Shi's ordination certificate. The association stated that Shi Yongxin's conduct was exceptionally poor, severely damaging the Buddhist community's standing and monks' reputation, whilst expressing strong support for legal action against him. Previous accusations by former monks included financial misconduct involving temple businesses, possession of luxury vehicles, and having children with multiple partners. The Chinese government maintains control over religious leadership appointments, with inappropriate behaviour often resulting in dismissal. By Monday morning, social media platform Weibo recorded over 560 million views on the temple controversy hashtag. The abbot's final Weibo post stated: "when one's own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present". Similar accusations in 2015 were dismissed by the temple as "vicious libel". Shi, aged 59, became abbot of the Shaolin Temple in 1999 and later helped expand its cultural reach around the world. In 2002, he was elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and has also served as a delegate to the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body. The Shaolin Temple, founded in AD 495, is recognised as Zen Buddhism's origin and the birthplace of Chinese kung fu.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maratha reservation: Manoj Jarange warns of fresh hunger strike on August 29
Reservation activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday accused the Maharashtra government of failing to fulfil its promises to the Maratha community and warned of launching a fresh hunger strike in Mumbai on August 29. Speaking to media persons at Antarwali Sarthi village in Jalna district, Jarange alleged that the government has deceived the Maratha community. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Management Others Project Management healthcare Artificial Intelligence Degree Digital Marketing Public Policy Leadership MBA Product Management CXO PGDM Data Science Technology Cybersecurity others Finance Data Analytics Healthcare MCA Design Thinking Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details The activist has undertaken multiple hunger strikes demanding the recognition of all Marathas as Kunbis - an agrarian caste listed under the Other Backward Classes category and reservation for the politically dominant community in government jobs and education. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo He has consistently called for the implementation of historical records, including the Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad gazettes, which he claims document the classification of the Maratha community as Kunbis. "Four major demands of the Marathas, which the government assured would be implemented, have not been fulfilled. The government has once again deceived the community," Jarange said. Live Events He warned of undertaking a fresh hunger strike in Mumbai on August 29 and launching a march to the city. "We have been patient for the last two years. Now the time has come to rise. I appeal to all Marathas - don't sit silently. We must fight for our rights," he said, urging community members to wrap up their farming activities in two months and prepare to march to Mumbai. The activist slammed the administration for failing to issue the government gazette regarding the Sage Soyare notification and for not implementing the gazettes of Bombay, Satara, and Hyderabad. He claimed that more than 58 lakh documents have been collected to prove that Kunbis and Marathas are the same, and demanded the release of Kunbi certificates based on these records. While appreciating the efforts of the Shinde Committee in unearthing crucial documents, he criticised government officers for not issuing Kunbi certificates despite evidence. Jarange further lashed out at the state government for not withdrawing cases registered against Maratha reservation protesters, calling it a betrayal of trust. "I will not back down this time. The government must act or face the consequences," he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
China's Shaolin Temple head to be removed
BEIJING: The head of the Chinese temple known as the birthplace of kung fu will be disrobed for "extremely" bad behaviour, Beijing 's top Buddhist authority said Monday, after allegations of embezzlement saw him placed under investigation. The Shaolin Temple said on Sunday that Abbot Shi Yongxin , known as the " CEO monk " for establishing dozens of companies abroad, was suspected of "embezzling project funds and temple assets". Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category CXO Public Policy Artificial Intelligence others Cybersecurity Design Thinking Operations Management Project Management PGDM Data Science Digital Marketing Finance Data Science healthcare Data Analytics Management Technology Others Product Management MCA MBA Healthcare Leadership Degree Skills you'll gain: Customer-Centricity & Brand Strategy Product Marketing, Distribution, & Analytics Digital Strategies & Innovation Skills Leadership Insights & AI Integration Expertise Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Starts on Apr 7, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Operations Strategy for Business Excellence Organizational Transformation Corporate Communication & Crisis Management Capstone Project Presentation Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow Chief Operations Officer Programme Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Strategy Development Expertise Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends Data-driven Decision Making Leadership in the Digital Age Duration: 40 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Digital Officer Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategy & Innovation Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation Leadership in Technology Management Cybersecurity & Risk Management Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Technology Officer Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The monastery said Shi had "seriously violated Buddhist precepts", including by allegedly engaging in "improper relationships" with multiple women. "Multiple departments" were conducting a joint investigation, it said in a statement on WeChat.
International Business Times
a day ago
- International Business Times
Who is Shi Yongxin? China's Famous Shaolin Temple's 'CEO Monk' Under Investigation for Misuse of Funds and Misconduct
Shi Yongxin, the head of China's famous Shaolin Temple, is being investigated for criminal allegations. The allegations include the misuse of temple funds and violation of Buddhist principles. Several government departments are collaborating on the investigation. X In an official statement on its WeChat account, the temple informed that Yongxin is suspected of embezzling project money and temple property. The post also alleged he had long-term relationships with several women and fathered at least one child, actions that violate Buddhist vows. They said police will reveal more information as the investigation progresses. At this point, formal charges have not been filed, but the temple said that the investigation is ongoing. The Shaolin Temple, in Henan Province, is among one of China's most recognized religious and cultural sites. Apart from its spiritual import, it is also known for its martial arts legacy, particularly kung fu. The temple caught the attention of international media after the success of the 1982 film "The Shaolin Temple," featuring the Chinese martial arts star Jet Li. Shi Yongxin, whose birth name is Liu Yingcheng, arrived at the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999. Over the years, he has been instrumental in modernizing and commercializing the temple's activities. His campaign to spread Shaolin kung fu through performances around the world and branded merchandise earned him the nickname "CEO monk." But it has also drawn its share of criticism—especially from those who see it as inimical to the monastic life. Shi has not been a stranger to controversy. In 2015, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported accusations against him, including fathering children and financial misconduct. But a provincial inquiry exonerated him of any wrongdoing in 2016, Caixin Global reported. Before the temple's official announcement, some Chinese media platforms peddled fake news that a circular on Sunday said that a fake online notice had been circulating. The false claim suggested Shi was caught trying to flee to the United States with mistresses and about 20 children. The report was promptly denied by the authorities as being baseless. The new probe is expected to be thorough, and officials have promised the public that findings will be made public. For now, the abbot, Shi Yongxin, remains in his role, but the revelations could lead to major changes at one of China's most ancient temples.
