The abbot of China’s world-renowned Shaolin Temple is under investigation for multiple criminal offences, including embezzlement of project funds and misappropriation of temple assets, according to an official statement released by the Buddhist monastery on Sunday.
Shi Yongxin, head of the 1,500-year-old temple in central China’s Henan province, is suspected of “serious violations of Buddhist precepts” and is currently under joint investigation by several government departments. The temple's statement also accused Shi of maintaining improper relationships with multiple women and fathering illegitimate children. It added that further information would be disclosed to the public in due course.
Established in the Songshan Mountains, the Shaolin Temple is regarded as the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin kung fu. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.
Shi, 60, became abbot in 1999 and is one of China’s most recognisable monks. An MBA degree-holder, he has often been dubbed the “CEO monk” for his extensive commercialisation of the temple’s operations. Under his leadership, the temple expanded globally, establishing over 50 Shaolin Cultural Centres abroad and investing in publishing, media, and medicine.
His tenure has frequently drawn criticism from both the Buddhist and martial arts communities, who accuse him of transforming the religious sanctuary into a profit-driven enterprise. In 2006, he faced public backlash for accepting a luxury car from local authorities as a reward for boosting tourism.
Shi has been no stranger to controversy. In 2015, he and the temple faced criticism over a proposed $297 million (₹2,470 crore) resort in Australia, featuring a temple complex, live-in kung fu academy, and a golf course. That same year, a former disciple accused him of embezzlement and fathering several children. However, Henan religious authorities dropped those charges in 2017 due to a lack of evidence.
He served as president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association since 1998 and was a deputy to China’s National People’s Congress from 1998 to 2018.
Speculation about his whereabouts intensified over the weekend, following social media rumours that he had been taken into custody. His Weibo account, followed by over 8,70,000 users, has been inactive since Thursday. The Shaolin Temple's website last reported his public appearance on July 7, when he attended a monks' meeting.
Shi was reportedly taken away on Friday by police in Xinxiang, an industrial city in northern Henan.
Business records show he is currently linked to eight institutions, including the Shaolin Temple, three of which remain operational. Five others have since been deregistered.
News of the investigation was among the top trending topics on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sunday.