The head of the Shaolin Temple, widely regarded as the birthplace of kung fu, will be stripped of his monastic status for what China’s top Buddhist authority described as extremely bad behaviour. The decision comes after serious allegations of embezzlement and misconduct prompted an official investigation.
The Shaolin Temple announced on Sunday that Abbot Shi Yongxin is suspected of embezzling project funds and misappropriating temple assets. The temple further stated that Shi had seriously violated Buddhist precepts, including allegedly maintaining improper relationships with multiple women.
In response, the Buddhist Association of China, which operates under the supervision of the Chinese Communist Party, said Monday it would revoke Shi’s certificate of ordination.
“Shi Yongxin’s actions are of an extremely bad nature, seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community, hurting the image of monks,” the association said in a statement. It added that it fully supported actions taken in accordance with the law.
Authorities confirmed that multiple government departments were conducting a joint investigation into the matter. Shi, often nicknamed the CEO monk for helping expand Shaolin’s global commercial footprint, has previously faced criticism for blurring the line between spiritual leadership and business management.
He had already faced similar accusations in 2015, which the temple at the time dismissed as vicious libel. In the current case, former monks have accused him of using funds from a temple-run company for personal gain, owning a fleet of luxury vehicles, and fathering children.
A hashtag related to the scandal has garnered more than 560 million views on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The most recent post on Shi’s personal Weibo account reads, “When one’s own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present.”
Shi, 59, became abbot in 1999 and spearheaded international Shaolin outreach, helping establish dozens of affiliated companies and promoting Chinese martial arts and Buddhism abroad. His commercial ventures earned him both fame and controversy, with critics accusing him of commercialising a sacred tradition.
Founded in AD 495, the Shaolin Temple is a revered symbol of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts. Shi was elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002 and has served as a representative in the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body.
