Shi Yongxin, China’s influential abbot of the ancient Shaolin Temple, is officially probed on suspicion of embezzlement, financial malfeasance, and violations of Buddhist monastic discipline. The news has reignited controversy around the provocative figure who was previously described as the ‘CEO monk’ for his attempts to commodify the renowned religious landmark.
Allegations Against Shi
An announcement made by the official WeChat account of the temple said Shi Yongxin is under suspicion for embezzling project funds and misappropriating temple assets. He also stands accused of having ‘improper relationships’ with several women and fathering at least one child grave breaches of Buddhist celibacy vows.
At 59 years old, Shi is currently under a multi-agency investigation. In a resounding move, the Buddhist Association of China has withdrawn his monastic ordination certificate, officially condemning his actions.
“Shi Yongxin’s behavior is of an extremely serious nature, highly damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and hurting the reputation of monastics,” the association stated.
Shi himself remains silent so far, and foreign media have reported no feedback to their questions.
About Shi Yongxin
Born Liu Yingcheng in Anhui province in 1965, Shi became a disciple of the 29th-generation abbot, Shi Xingzheng, in 1981 when he entered the Shaolin Temple. He took over leadership after his master’s death in 1987 and was formally appointed abbot in 1999.
Under his leadership, the Shaolin Temple, which is situated in the Songshan Mountains of Henan Province, transformed from a spiritual retreat to a worldwide commercial icon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is famous for being the origin of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu.
Shi’s unique credentials include an MBA, the first for a Chinese abbot and a global vision for exporting Shaolin culture. His efforts involved franchising the Shaolin name for cartoons, movies, computer games, and establishing businesses in publishing, real estate, and traditional medicine.
Shi defended his actions in the face of criticism of over-commercialization, saying, “Cultural promotion is a very dignified undertaking.” As far as his international aspirations go, he once said: “If China can import Disney resorts, why can’t other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?”
Previous Controversies
Shi has been surrounded by controversy for years. Backlash ensued in 2006 after he had accepted a 1 million yuan (~$140,000) luxury car from local officials, which was justified by the comment: “Monks are also citizens. We have paid our dues and contributed to society, so it is only fair that we get rewarded.”
In 2015, a Chinese social media whistleblower accused Shi of unethical behavior ranging from embezzlement to fathering several illegitimate children. The allegations were backed by purported documents and photos, such as a birth certificate. Shi refuted the charges, saying in an interview with BBC Chinese: “If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.”
Authorities opened an investigation then but announced in 2017 there was not enough evidence to support legal action.
Even with such scandals, Shi continued to hold top positions, such as deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China, president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association, and member of the National People’s Congress between 1998 and 2018.
Current Status of Shi Yongxin
Reports suggest the current investigation began recently, with Shi allegedly taken into custody in Xinxiang, Henan. Online rumours falsely claimed he fled to the U.S. with mistresses and children, a story quickly debunked by authorities.
Shi’s online presence has also halted his Weibo account, followed by over 870,000 users, has been silent since last Thursday.
The Buddhist Association of China reiteratively asserted its position on the issue, asserting it ‘firmly supports and endorses the decision to deal with Shi Yongxin’s case according to the law’.
About the Shaolin Temple
The Shaolin Temple, with its 1,500-year legacy, is far more than a monastery, it is a cultural beacon of Chinese spirituality and martial arts. Under Shi’s leadership, the temple expanded its global footprint, launching over 50 cultural centres and performing Shaolin kung fu internationally.
While some argue that Shi’s business-focused vision diluted the temple’s sacred values, others believe he modernised and preserved its relevance in today’s world.
