Leader of China’s Iconic Shaolin Temple Under Investigation for Corruption and Sexual Misconduct
Established in 495 AD, the Shaolin Temple is globally recognized as the origin of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts.
Shi Yongxin, the head monk of China’s world-famous Shaolin Temple, is currently being probed for allegations of corruption and sexual impropriety, as per reports from official media on Sunday.
According to a notice published on the temple’s official site and cited by China Daily, Shi is suspected of engaging in criminal behavior, including the unlawful use of funds allocated for various projects and misappropriation of temple property.
He is also accused of gravely breaching Buddhist monastic codes by engaging in inappropriate relationships with numerous women over an extended period and fathering children out of wedlock.
Shi is presently under joint investigation by multiple government departments. The temple noted that the public will be kept informed as developments in the case unfold.
Located in China’s Henan province at the base of Song Mountain, the Shaolin Temple was founded in 495 AD. It is historically revered as the spiritual home of Zen Buddhism and the birthplace of Chinese kung fu. Its warrior monks have gained legendary status across Asia over centuries. In recent decades, its global reputation has grown through movies and television.
The temple draws disciples and tourists from around the world, who come for its spiritual heritage and its famed martial arts programs.
Shi Yongxin, originally named Liu Yingcheng, has long been a polarizing figure. He joined the temple in 1981 and rose to the rank of abbot in 1999. Nicknamed the “CEO monk,” he became one of the first Buddhist monks in China to obtain an MBA and transformed the temple into a commercial enterprise—staging martial arts exhibitions and marketing Shaolin-branded merchandise.
Local media highlighted that Shi has previously faced similar allegations, including accusations of embezzlement and fathering multiple children, though a regional investigation in 2016 found no wrongdoing.
Rumors that Shi had tried to escape with female companions and children were previously labeled false by authorities. However, former monks have accused him of enjoying an extravagant lifestyle, including owning luxury vehicles and misusing temple finances.
