Shaolin Temple's Head Monk Faces Criminal Probe
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The head monk at a world-famous Buddhist temple in China is under criminal investigation after being accused of embezzlement and fathering children during "improper" relationships with women.
Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by multiple agencies, the temple said in a statement published online on Sunday. Shi has previously denied similar allegations and was cleared of those charges during a probe several years ago.
Newsweek has attempted to reach out to the abbot through the temple, via a contact form on its website outside of regular working hours, seeking comment on Monday.
Why It Matters
Shaolin Temple, in Dengfeng in the Henan province, is more than 1,500 years old and is known as the birthplace of Shaolin kung-fu. It attracts almost 7 million visitors each year, according to an article in the China Daily Hong Kong edition last year. Many of those guests are martial arts enthusiasts, while others may be more interested in learning about meditation or Zen Buddhism.
The site has become a global brand and has welcomed several celebrities over the years, with NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Shaquille O'Neal among those known to have visited the site.
The temple has a number of outreach programs, including official cultural centers in various Western countries such as the United States, and festivals that are held around the world.
What To Know
Shi, known as Liu Yingcheng before becoming a monk in 1981, once served as a member of China's parliament but became abbot in 1999. He went on to turn the temple into a global brand, founding a travelling troupe of monks who perform kung fu shows across China and internationally.
He was first accused of wrongdoing a decade ago, with reports of an investigation taking place in 2015, although the temple denied the allegations made by a former disciple that the abbot had fathered children and embezzled funds. He was later cleared of the charges in 2017.
Now, the 59-year-old, who was dubbed the "CEO monk" after reportedly turning the temple into a multimillion-dollar commercial enterprise, is facing renewed accusations.
Shi has not yet publicly commented on the new allegations.
Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, pictured on August 24, 2006, in Dengfeng of Henan Province, China.
Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, pictured on August 24, 2006, in Dengfeng of Henan Province, China.What People Are Saying
A translation of the statement issued by the Shaolin Temple Management Office on Sunday read: "Shi Yongxin, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, was suspected of misappropriating project funds and temple assets; Seriously violated Buddhist precepts, maintained improper relationships with multiple women for a long time and had illegitimate children. It is currently under a multi-departmental joint investigation. The relevant situation will be announced to the public in a timely manner."
The state-supervised Buddhist Association of China said on Monday, per Reuters that it approved the revoking of Shi's ordination certificate because his "behaviours are extremely deplorable in nature, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks."
What Happens Next?
The case is being closely watched in China as news of the probe was the most-read topic on Weibo—the Chinese version of X on Monday morning, according to the BBC.
As the investigation continues, updates are expected to be provided.
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