Latest news with #ShiYongxin
Epoch Times
6 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Shaolin's ‘CEO Monk' Under Criminal Investigation
The head of China's Shaolin Temple, the fabled birthplace of kung fu and Zen Buddhism, has been placed under investigation for alleged criminal offenses, according to the monastery. Shi Yongxin, who held the abbot's position for more than 25 years, was suspected of 'embezzling and misappropriating project funds and temple assets,' the temple's authority said in a July 27 statement on its official WeChat account.
Bloomberg
21 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Shaolin Temple Should Take a Vow of Chastity, Not Poverty
As China's fiscal conditions worsen, a scandal at the Shaolin Temple has ignited a debate over who owns the monastic institution's cultural heritage and how to commercialize the world-famous brand. Authorities are investigating Shi Yongxin, the longtime abbot of the monastery at the foot of a mountain peak in central China's Henan province, on suspicions of embezzlement, maintaining 'improper relations' with women, and fathering at least one child. Companies linked to Shi, nicknamed the 'CEO monk,' were deregistered and his Buddhist credentials revoked by the Buddhist Association of China, the national governing body for Buddhist affairs.
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Fall of the ‘CEO Monk': Shaolin Temple's Shi Yongxin ousted over corruption, sexual misconduct, ‘secret' child
China on Wednesday, July 30, dismissed the abbot of the iconic 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple amid allegations of corruption, 'sexual misconduct' and fathering illegitimate children and appointed a new abbot. The previous abbot, Shi Yongxin – also known as the 'CEO monk' – has been under joint criminal investigation over alleged misappropriation of project funds and temple assets by multiple agencies. Buddhist monks in China are bound by a vow of celibacy, but Shi Yongxin, who led the Shaolin Temple for 25 years, broke monastic precepts by becoming embroiled in a sex scandal. He is accused of 'maintaining improper relationships with multiple women'. According to the temple, Shi Yongxin is also accused of fathering at least one 'illegitimate' child. '[Shi] is currently under joint investigation by multiple departments. Further information will be released to the public in due course,' the temple said. The Buddhist Association of China said Shi's 'behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks.' Shi faced similar allegations in 2015 which the temple called 'vicious libel'. He was accused of 'misconduct and improper sexual relations'. Shi Yongxin, formerly known as Liu Yingcheng, became a monk in 1981. He was handed over the affairs of the Shaolin temple in 1987 and was appointed abbot in 1999. In 2008, the temple launched an online store selling a variety of products, including shoes, tea, T-shirts, and a kung fu instruction manual priced at 9,999 yuan ( ₹ 1.21 lakh) – also the time he was accused of commercialising the temple. Its business ventures over the years also included book publishing, medicine, kung fu performances, film production, asset management and real estate. Also Read | 'Just a simple Buddhist monk': The Dalai Lama urges for peace, compassion ahead of his 90th birthday 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. Founded in 495 AD, the Shaolin Temple is situated in the foothills of Song Mountain in China's Henan province. It is regarded as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. It holds immense religious and historical significance. It is also a popular tourist destination and renowned worldwide as a hub for Chinese martial arts, drawing students from across the globe.
Gulf Today
2 days 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
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
China appoints new abbot for Shaolin Temple after sacking predecessor over corruption, misconduct
China has appointed a new abbot for the iconic Shaolin Temple, replacing the former head monk who was dismissed amid investigations into allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct. Shi Yongxin was found to have seriously violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining improper relationships with multiple women.(AFP) Shi Yinle, the abbot of the White Horse Temple, has been named as the new head of the famed Shaolin Temple, known globally for its deep-rooted Buddhist traditions and martial arts heritage. The announcement was made in a brief statement released by the temple. The state-run Xinhua news agency on Tuesday reported that Shi Yinle's appointment was approved after democratic reviews by the monastic community of the temple and other relevant procedures. The move comes after the removal of 60-year-old Shi Yongxin, who had led the temple for 25 years. According to official media reports on Sunday, Shi Yongxin was found to have seriously violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period and fathering illegitimate children. He is currently under joint investigation by multiple authorities, the reports said. Founded in 495 AD, the Shaolin Temple is situated in the foothills of Song Mountain in China's Henan province. It is regarded as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu. It holds immense religious and historical significance. It is also a popular tourist destination and renowned worldwide as a hub for Chinese martial arts, drawing students from across the globe.
