28-7-2025
Chinese authorities have put a Shaolin ‘Kung Fu’ master Shi Yongxin on the spotlight after being accused of sleeping with multiple women, fathering many children and embezzlement.
Master Yongxin, is the abbot of the world-renowned 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple located in a mountain range in central China’s Henan province, attracts thousands of disciples every year – some from across the world.
Yongxin who has been Shaolin Temple’s abbot since 1999, has earned the nickname “CEO monk” for transforming the institution into a global brand.
He has been stripped of his ordination certificate amid the probe, China’s Buddhist association said on Monday.
“Shi Yongxin’s actions are extremely bad, seriously damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks,” the Buddhist Association of China said in its statement.
Under his leadership, the temple started opening schools outside China and formed a travelling troupe of monks who performed Shaolin kung fu shows – the temple’s signature style of martial arts.
News of Yongxin being investigated was the most read topic on Weibo on Monday morning. The last post on his own Weibo account, which has more than 880,000 followers and had been updated daily with Buddhist teachings, is dated 24 July.
Yongxin also came under scrutiny in 2015 for allegedly having sexual relations with women and embezzling temple funds. He also allegedly received expensive gifts from companies and local governments, including a Volkswagen SUV and a robe with gold thread.
The name “Shaolin” has gained prominence in pop culture over the years, including being the title of a 1982 film starring Jet Li. The temple is referenced in songs by American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and inspired a spinoff of the video game Mortal Kombat. BBC