Latest news with #Shaolin
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
China's Shaolin Temple gets a new abbot after money, sex scandals fell Shi Yongxin
China has appointed a new abbot to the Shaolin Temple, two days after authorities at the Buddhist monastery announced that Shi Yongxin, its head monk for more than 25 years, was under investigation for alleged financial and sex scandals. Advertisement The abbot of White Horse Temple, Shi Yinle, will replace him, according to a brief statement from the Shaolin Temple on Tuesday. 'In accordance with the regulations on the appointment of abbots of Chinese Buddhist Temples, after democratic evaluation and approval by the Shaolin Temple and following the relevant procedures, Venerable Yinle was invited to be the abbot of the Shaolin Temple,' the one-paragraph statement said. Disgraced former abbot Shi Yongxin's Buddhist credentials have been revoked and companies linked to him deregistered. 01:43 Head of China's world-famous Buddhist sanctuary Shaolin Temple under criminal inquiry Head of China's world-famous Buddhist sanctuary Shaolin Temple under criminal inquiry Established over 1,500 years ago in China's central Henan province, the Shaolin Temple is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and a Unesco World Heritage site, famed as the cradle of Shaolin kung fu.
International Business Times
2 days ago
- International Business Times
Who is Shi Yongxin? China's Famous Shaolin Temple's 'CEO Monk' Under Investigation for Misuse of Funds and Misconduct
Shi Yongxin, the head of China's famous Shaolin Temple, is being investigated for criminal allegations. The allegations include the misuse of temple funds and violation of Buddhist principles. Several government departments are collaborating on the investigation. X In an official statement on its WeChat account, the temple informed that Yongxin is suspected of embezzling project money and temple property. The post also alleged he had long-term relationships with several women and fathered at least one child, actions that violate Buddhist vows. They said police will reveal more information as the investigation progresses. At this point, formal charges have not been filed, but the temple said that the investigation is ongoing. The Shaolin Temple, in Henan Province, is among one of China's most recognized religious and cultural sites. Apart from its spiritual import, it is also known for its martial arts legacy, particularly kung fu. The temple caught the attention of international media after the success of the 1982 film "The Shaolin Temple," featuring the Chinese martial arts star Jet Li. Shi Yongxin, whose birth name is Liu Yingcheng, arrived at the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999. Over the years, he has been instrumental in modernizing and commercializing the temple's activities. His campaign to spread Shaolin kung fu through performances around the world and branded merchandise earned him the nickname "CEO monk." But it has also drawn its share of criticism—especially from those who see it as inimical to the monastic life. Shi has not been a stranger to controversy. In 2015, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported accusations against him, including fathering children and financial misconduct. But a provincial inquiry exonerated him of any wrongdoing in 2016, Caixin Global reported. Before the temple's official announcement, some Chinese media platforms peddled fake news that a circular on Sunday said that a fake online notice had been circulating. The false claim suggested Shi was caught trying to flee to the United States with mistresses and about 20 children. The report was promptly denied by the authorities as being baseless. The new probe is expected to be thorough, and officials have promised the public that findings will be made public. For now, the abbot, Shi Yongxin, remains in his role, but the revelations could lead to major changes at one of China's most ancient temples.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
'Kung fu' Shaolin temple abbot under investigation for misconduct
China's most popular Buddhist monastery, the Shaolin temple, confirmed on Sunday that its abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under official investigation over allegations of embezzlement and misuse of temple funds, as well as breaches of Buddhist discipline. In a statement published on the temple's official WeChat account, authorities said Shi Yongxin was suspected of "misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets." The notice also accused the abbot of long-term relationships with multiple women and fathering at least one child, actions deemed both criminal and in violation of Buddhist monastic codes. A multi-agency investigation is reportedly underway, with findings expected to be made public "in due course". Shi Yongxin, born Liu Yingcheng, joined the Henan-based Shaolin temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999. He has been a controversial figure for years, earning the nickname "CEO monk" for his role in transforming the 1,500-year-old place of worship into a commercial enterprise featuring kung fu shows and branded merchandise. The strategy, while raising the temple's profile worldwide, has drawn criticism for blending religious practice with business interests. In 2015, Xinhua, China's state-run news agency, noted that Shi had come under fire for his commercial approach to monastic leadership. Allegations in the past also include claims of him fathering several children and misappropriating temple funds, but a provincial inquiry cleared him of wrongdoing in 2016, according to Caixin Global. On Sunday, before the temple's announcement, there was an online unverified notice claiming that Shi had been apprehended while attempting to flee to the United States with numerous mistresses and around 20 children. Authorities have since dismissed that claim as false. The Shaolin temple's reputation extends beyond China, thanks in part to its depiction in films such as the Jet Li eponymous classic from 1982, The Shaolin Temple.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Shaolin Temple's Head Monk Faces Criminal Probe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. 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, 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.
New York Times
3 days ago
- New York Times
Shaolin ‘C.E.O. Monk' Is Accused of Embezzlement and Affairs With Women
Chinese authorities are investigating the longtime head of China's Shaolin Temple on suspicion of embezzling funds, maintaining 'improper relations" with women and fathering at least one child outside marriage, the temple said. 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. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
