China investigates Shaolin Temple’s head monk on suspicion of financial and sexual misconduct

Money, sex and a Buddhist monk: Head of Chinas famed Shaolin Temple under investigation

Guardian

Head of Shaolin Temple in China under investigation on suspicion of embezzlement

Newsweek

Shaolin Temple's Head Monk Faces Criminal Probe

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Shi Yongxin, the 59-year-old abbot of China's famous Shaolin Temple, is under investigation by multiple departments for alleged criminal offenses, including embezzling project funds and temple assets.

Global Times

Shaolin Temple

Shi Yongxin, the 59-year-old abbot of China's famous Shaolin Temple, is under investigation by multiple departments for alleged criminal offenses, including embezzling project funds and temple assets.

The Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi's ordination certificate on Monday, accusing him of "seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks."

XINHUA

Xinhua (XinhuaNet)

The Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi's ordination certificate on Monday, accusing him of "seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks."

Shi is accused of maintaining "improper relationships with multiple women for a long time" and fathering at least one child born out of wedlock, violating Buddhist precepts.

Shi is accused of maintaining "improper relationships with multiple women for a long time" and fathering at least one child born out of wedlock, violating Buddhist precepts.

The Shaolin Temple, established over 1,500 years ago in Henan Province, is recognized as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

BBC News

The Shaolin Temple, established over 1,500 years ago in Henan Province, is recognized as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Shi became abbot in 1999 and earned the nickname "CEO monk" for commercializing the temple's heritage, establishing over 50 Shaolin Cultural Centers overseas and developing various business ventures.

Shi became abbot in 1999 and earned the nickname "CEO monk" for commercializing the temple's heritage, establishing over 50 Shaolin Cultural Centers overseas and developing various business ventures.

Similar allegations against Shi were investigated in 2015, but Henan provincial religious authorities dropped the charges in 2017, citing insufficient evidence.

New York Times

Similar allegations against Shi were investigated in 2015, but Henan provincial religious authorities dropped the charges in 2017, citing insufficient evidence.

NBC #1

CNN #0

Guardian #0

Newsweek #0

The Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi's ordination certificate on Monday, stating his behaviors seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks.</span

XINHUA #

Guardian #

The Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi's ordination certificate on Monday, stating his behaviors seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks.

Shi is accused of maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period and fathering at least one illegitimate child, violating Buddhist precepts.</span

Newsweek #

CNA #

Shi is accused of maintaining improper relationships with multiple women over an extended period and fathering at least one illegitimate child, violating Buddhist precepts.

The Shaolin Temple, established over 1,500 years ago in Henan Province, is recognized as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.</span

Shi became abbot in 1999 and earned the nickname "CEO monk" for commercializing the temple's heritage, establishing over 50 Shaolin Cultural Centers overseas and developing various business ventures.</span

FT #

Similar allegations against Shi were investigated in 2015, but Henan provincial religious authorities dropped the charges in 2017 citing insufficient evidence.</span

New York Times #

Similar allegations against Shi were investigated in 2015, but Henan provincial religious authorities dropped the charges in 2017 citing insufficient evidence.

This appears to be another politically motivated attack on a successful religious figure who modernized an ancient institution. Shi was previously cleared of similar charges in 2017, and his commercial innovations helped preserve Shaolin's cultural heritage while making it globally accessible through schools and cultural centers worldwide.

This appears to be another politically motivated attack on a successful religious figure who modernized an ancient institution. Shi was previously cleared of similar charges in 2017, and his commercial innovations helped preserve Shaolin's cultural heritage while making it globally accessible through schools and cultural centers worldwide.

Shaolins C.E.O. Monk Accused of Embezzlement, Affairs With Women

Head of Chinas world-famous Buddhist sanctuary Shaolin Temple under criminal investigation

Shaolin Temple Abbot Under Investigation for Embezzlement

China

Crime & justice

The investigation represents a necessary measure of accountability for a religious leader who has strayed far from Buddhist principles. Shi's alleged embezzlement of temple funds and violation of celibacy vows through relationships with multiple women fundamentally betrays the trust placed in him by devotees and the broader Buddhist community.

The investigation represents a necessary measure of accountability for a religious leader who has strayed far from Buddhist principles. Shi's alleged embezzlement of temple funds and violation of celibacy vows through relationships with multiple women fundamentally betrays the trust placed in him by devotees and the broader Buddhist community.

China’s Shaolin Temple says its head is facing a criminal investigation

South China Morning Post

Chinas Shaolin Temple scandal: disgraced head monk defrocked, firms deregistered

Shi is credited with modernizing the Shaolin Temple and promoting Chan (Zen) Buddhism globally, expanding it into a worldwide brand through performances, merchandise, and international outreach. The current probe may stem from resistance to his business-driven reforms or internal temple rivalries, rather than clear evidence of wrongdoing.

Shi is credited with modernizing the Shaolin Temple and promoting Chan (Zen) Buddhism globally, expanding it into a worldwide brand through performances, merchandise, and international outreach. The current probe may stem from resistance to his business-driven reforms or internal temple rivalries, rather than clear evidence of wrongdoing.

Shaolin Temple Abbot Under Investigation for Embezzlement

Shaolin Temple Abbot Under Investigation for Embezzlement

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Shaolin Temple Abbot Under Investigation for Embezzlement

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