The prominent Chinese Buddhist monk Shi Yongxin, abbot of the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, has been formally stripped of his monastic office amid an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of financial misconduct and violations of Buddhist precepts, including sexual relationships and fathering children. The Buddhist Association of China confirmed the decision on 22 July, stating: “Shi Yongxin’s deeds were egregious in nature and seriously corrupted the reputation of the Buddhist community and damaged the image of monks.” (Washington Post)
Shi Yongxin, often referred to in Chinese media as the “CEO monk,” rose to national and international fame after becoming abbot of the Shaolin Temple in 1999. Under his leadership, the temple expanded its global reach as a center for Chan Buddhism and Chinese martial arts, gaining recognition through a growing portfolio of international businesses and cultural partnerships in more than 40 countries.
The announcement of Shi’s dismissal followed confirmation from the law enforcement authorities and multiple official bodies, including the Buddhist Association of Henan Province, where the Shaolin Temple is located. State-run media reported that Shi was detained last week by police in Xinxiang, Henan, although no formal charges have yet been announced.
According to the Buddhist Association of China, Shi is under investigation for embezzling and misappropriating temple funds and property. The same statement alleged that Shi violated core monastic precepts by engaging in multiple long-term relationships with women and fathering several children.
These actions, the association stated, constituted a severe breach of Buddhist discipline: “He also severely violated Buddhist precepts by maintaining improper relationships with several women over a long period of time and fathering illegitimate children with them.” (Washington Post)
The Shaolin Temple confirmed the investigation in a brief statement but declined to comment further.
The controversy represents a dramatic fall from grace for one of China’s most recognizable religious figures.
“The investigation of Shi Yongxin is undoubtedly the most sensational case of corruption in a Buddhist temple in recent years,” Hu Xijin, former editor of China’s Global Times newspaper, wrote on the Chinese microblogging social media service Weibo. (ABC News)
Born in Anhui Province in 1965, Shi Yongxin was ordained as a monk in his youth and rose through the ranks of Chinese Buddhism. In addition to leading the Shaolin Temple, he held several influential roles, such as deputy director of the Buddhist Association of China and delegate to the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body.
Throughout his tenure as abbot, Shi promoted an combination of spiritual practice and commercial outreach, transforming the Shaolin Temple into a global brand. This included licensing deals, tourism ventures, and overseas cultural centers. His efforts drew both praise and criticism—applauded by some for modernizing Buddhism and bringing Chinese culture to the global stage, but questioned by others who saw the commercialization of religious life as a betrayal of monastic ideals.
Shi addressed such criticisms in 2015, following plans to establish a Shaolin-themed complex in Australia, defending the temple’s global expansion by comparing it to Disney. “It was fine for the Chinese to bring in Disneyland,” he told Xinhua News Agency, “then what’s wrong with other countries embracing the Shaolin Temple?” (Washington Post)
The Shaolin Temple first gained international attention through the 1982 film Shaolin Temple, starring Jet Li. Since then, it has become synonymous with a unique fusion of Chan Buddhist practice and martial arts, inspiring television series and films such as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Shaolin Soccer.
China is home to the world’s largest Buddhist population, with more than 185 million adherents, according to government estimates. In recent years, the Chinese government has taken an increasingly active role in overseeing religious institutions, including efforts to address corruption, financial irregularities, and perceived threats to social harmony.
The removal of Shi Yongxin comes amid broader scrutiny of high-profile Buddhist leaders and reflects ongoing tensions in Chinese religious life between modernization, state oversight, and the preservation of traditional monastic values.
See more
Celebrity Buddhist monk accused of embezzlement and adultery (Washington Post)
Money, sex and a Buddhist monk: Head of China’s famed Shaolin Temple under investigation (CNN)
‘CEO monk’ removed from China’s Shaolin Temple over ‘extremely’ bad behaviour (France 24)
China’s Shaolin Temple scandal: disgraced head monk defrocked, firms deregistered (South China Morning Post)
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