Head of Shaolin ‘kung fu' temple accused of embezzlement and affairs
The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple said Abbot Shi Yongxin, dubbed the 'CEO monk' for transforming the institution into a global brand, was suspected of 'embezzling project funds and temple assets'.
The monastery, known as the birthplace of kung fu, said Mr Shi, 59, had 'seriously violated Buddhist precepts', including by allegedly engaging in 'improper relationships' with multiple women.
On Monday, China's Buddhist Association said it had stripped Mr Shi of his ordination certification, which is proof of someone's acceptance into the monastic community.
'Shi Tongxin's actions are extremely bad, seriously damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks,' the association said in a statement.
The birthplace of kung fu
China's government exercises authority over the appointment of religious leaders, and 'improper' conduct is often grounds for removal from office.
The Shaolin Temple, located in the central Chinese province of Henan, is renowned for its kung fu culture, which has been referenced in a number of films and TV shows, including the 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, starring martial arts superstar Jet Li.
At the Shaolin Temple, disciples train in martial arts alongside their Buddhism studies.
The martial artists from the Shaolin Temple are known for their acrobatic performances, as well as an unnerving penchant for smashing stones, spears and other assorted objects apart on their heads and bodies.
A hashtag related to the temple scandal had been viewed more than 560 million times on Weibo as of Monday morning, making it the most talked about story on the Chinese social media platform.
The last post to Mr Shi's personal account on Weibo declared 'when one's own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present'.
'Vicious libel'
Mr Shi took office as abbot in 1999. Under his leadership, the temple started opening schools outside China and organised Shaolin kung fu shows.
He faced similar allegations in 2015, including allegedly having sexual relations with women and embezzling temple funds. At the time, the temple described the claims as 'vicious libel'.
At the time, he told the BBC: 'If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.'
The Shaolin Temple itself came under scrutiny in 2015 over plans to build a $300m (£224m) temple complex, which would have included a hotel, a kung fu school and a golf course.
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