Shaolin ‘C.E.O. Monk' Is Accused of Embezzlement and Affairs With Women
It is the latest scandal to embroil one of the country's most famous monks, Shi Yongxin, also known as China's C.E.O. monk for his work turning the temple, a fabled 1,500-year-old monastery complex in central China, into an international tourist attraction and global brand.
A short notice posted on Sunday by the Shaolin Temple's official account on the Chinese messaging app WeChat said that Shi Yongxin, the temple's abbot, was under investigation by 'multiple departments' for criminal offenses related to the misuse of funds and assets owned by the temple, as well as for 'seriously violating' Buddhist principles. The temple did not provide specifics.
The Buddhist Association of China said on Monday that it had revoked the abbot's clergy certificate. The organization described his behavior as 'completely vile' and damaging to the reputation of the broader Buddhist community and other monks.
Shi Yongxin and the Shaolin Temple could not immediately be reached for comment.
Known as Liu Yingcheng before he joined the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province as a monk in 1981, Shi Yongxin has been alternately praised for reviving the ancient temple complex, which had been left neglected for decades, and criticized for commercializing it.
In 2015, a former apprentice of his accused him of embezzling funds from the Shaolin Temple, while an anonymous letter claimed that he had several mistresses and funneled money to them. At the time, the temple denied all allegations and an investigation by Henan officials concluded the accusations were groundless. He remained the temple's abbot.
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