 "Sex scandal, illegitimate children and more: Why head monk of China’s famous Shaolin Temple is under investigation")
The Shaolin Temple is one of the most iconic religious and cultural landmarks in China.
Now, its abbot, Shi Yongxin, has been placed under formal investigation over allegations of embezzlement, financial impropriety and breaches of Buddhist discipline.
The case has put a spotlight on years of controversy surrounding Shi, often referred to as the “CEO monk,” for his role in transforming the 1,500-year-old monastery into a global commercial brand.
What are the allegations against Shi Yongxin?
A statement released on the temple’s official WeChat account confirmed that Shi is suspected of diverting and misusing project funds, as well as temple-owned assets.
Beyond financial wrongdoing, he has been accused of long-term “improper relationships” with multiple women and fathering at least one child — accusations that go against the Buddhist vow of celibacy.
The statement noted that the 59-year-old abbot is currently under a “joint investigation by multiple departments,” adding that more details will be made public as the inquiry progresses.
In a move highlighting the seriousness of the accusations, the Buddhist Association of China announced on Monday that it had revoked Shi’s ordination certificate — a document that grants official recognition of monastic status.
The association condemned his alleged actions, stating: “Shi Yongxin’s actions are of an extremely egregious nature, severely tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist community and damaging the image of monastics.”
Shi has not made any public statement responding to the charges, and attempts by international media to contact him have so far received no reply.
Who is Shi Yongxin?
Born in 1965 in Yingshang, Anhui province, Shi Yongxin — originally named Liu Yingcheng — first arrived at the Shaolin Temple in 1981.
He became a disciple of the 29th-generation abbot, Shi Xingzheng, and later assumed responsibility for temple management after his teacher’s death in 1987.
By 1999, he was formally appointed abbot, a position that placed him at the helm of one of China’s most renowned religious sites.
Shaolin Temple, located in Henan province’s Songshan Mountains, is not only a place of worship but also the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu.
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered both for its spiritual legacy and its martial arts traditions that have been celebrated in films, literature and pop culture — including the landmark 1982 movie The Shaolin Temple starring Jet Li.
A remake was made in 2011 starring Jackie Chan.
Shi became known as the first Chinese abbot to earn a Master of Business Administration degree, a qualification that would later shape his approach to temple management.
Under his leadership, Shaolin transitioned from a historic monastery into a sprawling brand. He licensed the Shaolin name for use in films, cartoons and video games, and built a network of businesses that spanned real estate, publishing, traditional medicine and global tourism.
This drive to modernise made him a high-profile figure — but also drew criticism from those who accused him of commercialising the temple’s sacred heritage.
His frequent appearances abroad, often with an iPhone in hand and photographed alongside figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Henry Kissinger and Apple CEO Tim Cook, only heightened his reputation as the “CEO monk.”
In defending his approach, Shi argued that promoting Shaolin culture globally was essential for its preservation.
When questioned about his initiatives, he once remarked: “Cultural promotion is a very dignified undertaking.”
After signing a $3 million deal to create a Shaolin branch in Australia, he famously asked: “If China can import Disney resorts, why can’t other countries import the Shaolin Monastery?”
What does Shi’s tenure at Shaolin tell us?
As far back as 2006, Shi faced public anger for accepting a 1 million yuan ($140,000) luxury car from local authorities as a reward for boosting tourism.
Responding to the uproar, Shi defended himself, saying: “Monks are also citizens. We have fulfilled our duties and made contributions to society, so it is only right that we receive rewards.”
In 2015, accusations against Shi escalated dramatically when an individual claiming to have insider knowledge posted allegations on Chinese social media. The claims painted him as an embezzler and a womaniser with multiple illegitimate children.
The posts included documents dating to the late 1980s, including a supposed birth certificate for one of the abbot’s alleged children and photographs of the mother and child.
Shi strongly denied the allegations at the time.
In an interview with BBC Chinese, he responded: “If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago.” Authorities launched an investigation into the claims but, by 2017, concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges.
Despite this, Shi continued to hold prominent positions within China’s religious hierarchy. He was re-elected as deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China in 2020, a role he had held since 2002.
He also served as president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association since 1998 and represented his region in China’s National People’s Congress from 1998 to 2018.
Where is Shi Yongxin now?
The present investigation appears to have begun late last week, with the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer reporting that Shi was taken into custody by police in Xinxiang, a city in northern Henan.
Social media rumours about his whereabouts increased over the weekend, some even falsely claiming he had attempted to flee to the United States with multiple mistresses and children — a story that authorities quickly dismissed as fabricated.
Despite being one of China’s most recognisable monks, Shi’s public communications have ceased since the news broke.
His Weibo account, where he has amassed more than 870,000 followers and typically posts daily, has been inactive since last Thursday.
On Monday, his removal as an ordained monk by the Buddhist Association of China added further weight to the unfolding events. The association stated that it “firmly supports and endorses the decision to handle Shi Yongxin’s case in accordance with the law.”
What about the Shaolin Temple?
Founded more than 1,500 years ago, Shaolin Temple is more than just a religious site; it is an enduring symbol of Chinese culture and martial arts.
Under Shi, the temple expanded worldwide, creating over 50 Shaolin cultural centres abroad and staging kung fu performances that reached audiences across continents.
Critics claim that Shaolin’s spiritual values were diluted by aggressive branding and business ventures, while supporters argue Shi helped ensure the temple’s relevance in the modern world.
With inputs from agencies
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