The famed Shaolin Temple in China has announced that its abbot, Shi Yongxin, is under investigation for suspected embezzlement and violations of monastic discipline, reigniting decade-old scandals involving alleged sexual misconduct and misuse of temple assets.
In a public statement released Sunday, the temple authority revealed that Shi Yongxin is being investigated for criminal activities including embezzlement, misappropriation of temple funds, and “serious violations of Buddhist precepts,” specifically citing improper relationships with women and fathering at least one child. Buddhist monks in China are required to maintain celibacy, making the accusations particularly serious within the religious context.
Nicknamed the “CEO monk” for his entrepreneurial approach in transforming the 1,500-year-old temple into a global commercial brand, Shi’s reputation has long been controversial. Under his leadership since 1999, the Shaolin Temple expanded beyond spiritual and martial arts traditions to become a lucrative empire, encompassing kung fu performances, licensed media projects, Chinese medicine, tourism ventures, and real estate.
Shi, 59, is known for his modern, high-profile lifestyle — often seen using an iPhone and meeting global dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Earlier this year, he led a delegation of monks to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican.
However, Shi has faced growing criticism over the years for his commercialization of the temple, including accepting luxury gifts from local officials and prioritizing profit-driven ventures. In 2006, he stirred public anger after accepting a 1 million yuan car from the government, defending it by saying monks are “also citizens” who deserve rewards for contributing to society.
The current probe has revived sensational allegations from 2015, when an individual claiming to be a former disciple — using the pseudonym “Shi Zhengyi” (literally, “Justice Shi”) — accused Shi Yongxin of maintaining a long-term sexual relationship with a woman named Liu Liming. The accuser released eight pages of what were said to be police records from Zhengzhou Public Security Bureau in Henan Province.
According to the documents, Liu claimed that she and Shi had sexual encounters more than 20 times between 2000 and the mid-2010s, including at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. She described his genitalia in detail and claimed she kept used condoms as evidence in case he later denied the relationship or reneged on supporting her business. Liu also alleged she had undergone two abortions for the abbot.
These claims, along with purported birth certificates of his alleged illegitimate child and photos of the child’s mother, triggered a public outcry at the time. The Shaolin Temple issued strong denials, and a government investigation followed. But in 2017, authorities dropped the case, citing insufficient evidence.
Despite the controversy, Shi was re-elected as deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China in 2020, a position he has held since 2002.
That status changed this week. On Monday, the Buddhist Association of China issued a rare and strongly worded statement, announcing that Shi Yongxin’s ordination certificate had been revoked — stripping him of official monastic standing. “Shi Yongxin’s actions are of an extremely egregious nature, severely tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist community and damaging the image of monastics,” the statement said.
The temple said Shi is currently under joint investigation by multiple departments and that further information will be released in due course.
As of now, Shi has not responded publicly, and CNN reports they have been unable to reach him for comment.
The unfolding scandal marks a dramatic fall from grace for one of China’s most recognized religious figures, and could mark a turning point in how the country handles high-profile misconduct in religious institutions.
