Chinese authorities announced Sunday that they had approved the arrest of the former head of the historic Shaolin Temple — widely regarded as the birthplace of kung fu — on suspicion of embezzlement.
Shi Yongxin, who was removed from his position as abbot in July for what officials described as “extremely” bad behaviour, had been under investigation following accusations of misappropriating project funds and temple assets. He has also been formally defrocked.
According to a statement issued by the Xinxiang Procuratorate in Henan province, where the Shaolin Temple is located, Shi’s arrest was approved on suspicion of embezzlement, misappropriating funds, and accepting bribes as a non-state employee. It remains unclear whether he has been physically detained.
Shi, 60, became abbot in 1999 and spent decades promoting Shaolin teachings and cultural traditions internationally. He earned the nickname “CEO monk” for establishing numerous overseas companies, sparking criticism that he had over-commercialised Buddhism.
Over the years, Shi had also faced allegations from former monks claiming he siphoned funds from a temple-run business, owned a fleet of luxury cars, and fathered children with several women.
In July, China’s top Buddhist authority revoked Shi’s ordination certificate after new claims surfaced, stating that his conduct had “seriously damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnished the image of monks.”
Founded in AD 495, the Shaolin Temple is renowned as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and traditional Chinese kung fu.
