Rising Cost Of Living Forcing More Buddhists To Continue Working Years Into Reincarnation
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News24
10 hours ago
- News24
‘CEO monk' of Shaolin Temple Abbot Shi Yongxin removed over ‘extremely bad' behaviour
Buddhist Abbot Shi Yongxin was removed from his position in China. He was accused of embezzlement and 'improper relationships'. Shi's certificate of ordination will be cancelled. 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 on 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'. 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. In response, the Buddhist Association of China, overseen by the ruling Communist Party, said on Monday it would cancel Shi's certificate of ordination. 'Shi Yongxin's actions are of an extremely bad nature, seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community, hurting the image of monks,' the association said in an online statement. The association 'firmly supports the decision to deal with Shi Yongxin in accordance with the law'. Shi had 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 more than 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 495 AD, is known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese kung fu. Shi was first elected vice-chair 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.
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Washington Post
Celebrity Buddhist monk accused of embezzlement and adultery
Buddhist authorities in China stripped a celebrity Shaolin monk of his office amid a swirl of allegations over the weekend, including a criminal investigation into embezzlement and accusations that he fathered illegitimate children, the country's Buddhist Association said. Shi Yongxin, the top-ranking monk at China's 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, helped build the ancient institution into a sprawling global brand centered on its roots as a birthplace of kung fu. In the process, Shi Yongxin also established himself as one of China's best known religious figures — with his lofty commercial ambitions garnering him the nickname the 'CEO monk.'
NBC News
13 hours ago
- NBC News
China investigates Shaolin Temple's head monk on suspicion of financial and sexual misconduct
HONG KONG — The head of China 's famous Shaolin Temple has been defrocked as he is investigated by authorities for alleged financial offenses and sexual misconduct. Shi Yongxin, the temple's abbot since 1999, has had his ordination certificate revoked, China's state-backed Buddhist Association said in a statement Monday, citing allegations that he embezzled and misappropriated project funds and temple assets. The 59-year-old religious leader also broke his vow of celibacy, having 'improper relationships' with women over a long period of time and fathering at least one child out of wedlock, the temple said in a separate statement Sunday. Shi's actions are 'particularly egregious, severely damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnishing the image of monastics,' the association said, adding that it 'firmly supports' the investigation by multiple agencies. Calls to the Shaolin Temple went unanswered on Monday. Dubbed the 'CEO monk,' Shi globally commercialized the Shaolin Temple based in China's central province of Henan, a 1,500-year-old monastery recognized as the cradle of kung fu. As of Monday, four companies are still registered under Shi's name, according to Qichacha, a Chinese corporate database operator. Led by Shi, the temple has raised its international profile over the years through tourism, performances and training. It has also established multiple overseas cultural centers, including in the United States, Australia and Europe. Though Shi has faced similar accusations in the past, they were rejected by religious authorities at the time. In 2011, Shi downplayed online rumors that he had mistresses and children. 'There's no need to vindicate. When things like this happen, just let it go,' he told state-run newspaper People's Daily. In 2015, several of Shi's students accused him of extortion and bribery, drawing heightened attention from China's top religious affairs body. A two-year investigation later cleared Shi of wrongdoing. The latest investigation was widely satirized on Chinese social media, where commenters noted the irony of the allegations against Shi given that his religion requires him to live frugally. 'All the wishes I made for wealth and success at the Buddhist temples have come true for the monks,' one user wrote on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
