Latest news with #TheShaolinTemple
International Business Times
a day 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
a day 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.
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
China's "CEO Monk" Of Famous Shaolin Temple Under Probe For Embezzling Funds
Beijing: China's famous Shaolin Temple announced on Sunday that its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets. Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offenses and violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple's authority on its WeChat account. The notice said a joint investigation was being carried out by multiple departments and its findings would be announced in due course. The fame of the Shaolin Temple, based in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution. It is also renowned for its martial arts culture, or kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film "The Shaolin Temple," starring martial arts superstar Jet Li. Local media reported that Shi Yongxin, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money. Provincial investigation reports exonerated him of all charges in 2016, according to the Caixin Global news outlet. Shi Yongxin entered the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple's website. China's state news agency Xinhua reported in 2015 that he was known as a "CEO monk," attracting criticism for developing commercial operations to promote kung fu shows and merchandise. Earlier on Sunday, Chinese local media outlets reported that authorities had dismissed as fake an online notice claiming Shi Yongxin was intercepted by authorities while trying to flee to the U.S. with a number of mistresses and some 20 children.
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
China Probes Celebrity Monk for Embezzlement, Sex Misconduct
China has accused the former head monk of its most famous Buddhist temple of embezzling funds and sexual misconduct, beginning a new investigation more than a decade after similar allegations surfaced. Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple until he lost his ordination, is under probe for allegedly misappropriating temple assets, the 1,500-year-old monastery said in a notice on its official WeChat account on Sunday. The institution also accused Yongxin of violating Buddhist precepts by having long-term relationships with several women and fathering illegitimate children. The announcement raises questions about timing that have dominated Chinese social media. Many users wondered why authorities acted now, nearly a decade after disciples first publicly accused Yongxin of similar behavior in 2015. Yongxin, the dharma name he is known as, emerged largely unscathed from allegations at the time including of rape, embezzlement and fathering children. Henan provincial authorities cleared him of a claim of having an illegitimate daughter that year and accusations of financial wrongdoing in 2017, citing insufficient evidence. 'This time I wasn't surprised he did such things, but surprised by what changed that he can't escape scot-free like before,' one user wrote on Weibo, capturing widespread sentiment. Bloomberg News is unable to reach Yongxin. The Shaolin Temple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The China Buddhist Association moved swiftly to distance itself from Yongxin, announcing Monday it had canceled his ordination certificate. The association said it received a report from Henan provincial Buddhist authorities recommending the action. 'Shi Yongxin's actions are extremely egregious and have seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks,' the association said in a statement. The organization expressed 'firm support' for legal action against him. Yongxin, born Liu Yingcheng, was widely credited for establishing the temple, the subject of the 1982 blockbuster The Shaolin Temple, as the preeminent monastery in China and making it a commercial success. He had argued that the preservation and spread of authentic Shaolin culture requires that monks be engaged in the secular world. With assistance from Qianwei Zhang. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Asahi Shimbun
2 days ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Head of China's famous Shaolin Temple under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds
In this photo taken June 28, 2015, Shi Yongxin, third from right in yellow and red robes, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, attends the opening ceremony of an urban zen center named Shaolin Chan Hall in Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi province. (Chinatopix via AP) BEIJING--China's famous Shaolin Temple announced on Sunday that its abbot is under investigation on suspicion of misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets. Shi Yongxin is alleged to have committed criminal offenses and violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining relationships with multiple women over a long period and fathering at least one child, according to a notice from the temple's authority on its WeChat account. The notice said a joint investigation was being carried out by multiple departments and its findings would be announced in due course. The fame of the Shaolin Temple, based in the central Chinese province of Henan, has gone beyond a religious institution. It is also renowned for its martial arts culture, or kung fu, which has been referenced in many movies and TV dramas, including the 1982 film 'The Shaolin Temple,' starring martial arts superstar Jet Li. Local media reported that Shi Yongxin, whose original name is Liu Yingcheng, had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money. Provincial investigation reports exonerated him of all charges in 2016, according to the Caixin Global news outlet. Shi Yongxin entered the Shaolin Temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999, according to the temple's website. China's state news agency Xinhua reported in 2015 that he was known as a 'CEO monk,' attracting criticism for developing commercial operations to promote kung fu shows and merchandise. Earlier on Sunday, Chinese local media outlets reported that authorities had dismissed as fake an online notice claiming Shi Yongxin was intercepted by authorities while trying to flee to the U.S. with a number of mistresses and some 20 children.
