Shi Yongxin, the controversial abbot of China’s world-famous Shaolin Temple, is under investigation for embezzlement, sexual misconduct, and fathering illegitimate children, the temple confirmed on Sunday.
The probe, led by multiple Chinese agencies, has rocked the 1,500-year-old institution nestled in Henan province, long revered as the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu and Zen Buddhism.
Often dubbed the “CEO monk” for transforming the temple into a global commercial brand, Shi Yongxin has been stripped of his ordination certificate, China’s Buddhist Association announced Monday. The certificate, which signifies a monk’s official induction into the Buddhist clergy, was revoked following mounting evidence of misconduct.
“Shi Yongxin’s actions are extremely bad, seriously damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks,” the association said.
The allegations which include embezzling temple funds, maintaining improper relationships with multiple women, and fathering several children have made headlines across China. By Monday morning, the story had become the most-read topic on Weibo, China’s leading social media platform.
Shi’s personal Weibo account, which previously posted Buddhist reflections to over 880,000 followers, has been inactive since July 24.
This isn’t the first time Shi has faced scrutiny. In 2015, he was accused of similar misconduct, including accepting lavish gifts like a Volkswagen SUV and a gold-threaded robe from business interests and local officials. Though he was cleared at the time, critics remained skeptical.
When Asked in 2015 about the allegations, Shi responded confidently, “If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.”
Shi’s tenure as abbot since 1999 has been marked by bold and sometimes controversial expansions. He opened Shaolin-branded schools abroad, created a traveling kung fu performance troupe, and even unveiled plans for a nearly $300 million temple complex featuring a hotel, kung fu academy, and golf course a proposal that was widely criticised for commercialising sacred traditions.
While Shaolin Temple has long enjoyed a place in global pop culture thanks to Jet Li’s 1982 film “Shaolin Temple,” mentions in Wu-Tang Clan songs, and even a Mortal Kombat video game character the current scandal risks tarnishing that image.
As the investigation continues, many within China’s Buddhist and martial arts communities are calling for stricter oversight of religious figures. Whether Shi Yongxin will face criminal charges remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, the spiritual legacy of Shaolin is now entangled in a deepening public relations crisis.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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