The head of China’s renowned Shaolin Temple—often celebrated as the birthplace of kung fu—is set to be stripped of his monastic status following serious accusations of embezzlement and misconduct. China’s top Buddhist authority described his actions as “extremely egregious,” prompting a formal investigation.
In a statement released Sunday, the Shaolin Temple confirmed that Abbot Shi Yongxin is under investigation for allegedly embezzling project funds and misusing temple assets. The temple also accused him of violating core Buddhist principles, including reportedly engaging in inappropriate relationships with multiple women.
In response, the Buddhist Association of China—operating under the oversight of the Chinese Communist Party—announced Monday that Shi’s certificate of ordination would be revoked.
“Shi Yongxin’s conduct is of an extremely serious nature, damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and tarnishing the image of monks,” the association said. It expressed full support for legal actions being pursued.
Chinese authorities confirmed that multiple government agencies are now involved in a coordinated investigation. Shi, often dubbed the “CEO monk” for transforming the Shaolin Temple into a global commercial brand, has long drawn criticism for blending religious duties with high-level business ventures.
This is not the first time Shi has faced such claims. In 2015, he was accused of similar misconduct, including misuse of temple finances and maintaining romantic relationships, allegations the temple at the time dismissed as defamatory. However, the current probe has been bolstered by testimonies from former monks, who claim he used temple-run company funds for personal luxuries, owned a fleet of high-end vehicles, and fathered children.
The scandal has gone viral on Chinese social media, with a related hashtag amassing over 560 million views on Weibo. The last post on Shi’s personal Weibo page reads: “When one’s own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present.”
Shi, 59, has served as abbot since 1999 and played a central role in the global expansion of the Shaolin brand. Under his leadership, the temple established numerous commercial entities and promoted Chinese martial arts and Zen Buddhism internationally. While some praised his efforts to modernize the temple, critics accused him of commodifying sacred traditions.
Founded in AD 495, the Shaolin Temple stands as a revered icon of Zen Buddhism and Chinese martial arts. Shi was elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002 and has held a seat in the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body.
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