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The abbot of China’s Shaolin Temple, renowned for producing kung fu masters among its Buddhist monks, is currently under investigation for alleged criminal activities.
Digital Phablet reports that Shi Yongxin is being jointly examined by multiple government agencies on suspicion of misappropriating funds, embezzlement, and other criminal conduct involving temple assets and project money, according to a statement from the monastery issued yesterday.
He is also suspected of violating Buddhist precepts by engaging in inappropriate relationships with multiple women and fathering at least one child, which is against the strict rules of Buddhist monasticism that prohibit marriage and offspring.
Situated in the Songshan mountain range of central China’s Henan province, Shaolin Temple is a significant center of Zen Buddhism and a globally recognized tourist destination. Shi, often called the “CEO Monk,” has played a major role in promoting the temple’s fame over the years.
Born in 1965, Shi became a monk in 1981, took on management of the Temple’s affairs in 1987, and was installed as its 30th abbot in 1999. He has served as a deputy to China’s National People’s Congress since 1998 and has been deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China since 2002.
Possessing an MBA degree, Shi has long been seen as an effective administrator. Despite achieving notable success in commercializing the temple’s ventures, he has also come under scrutiny and controversy, with past allegations against him eventually dropped without resolution.
According to data from the corporate information platform Tianyancha, Shi oversees ten companies, including four temples in Henan and the Buddhist association based in Zhengzhou. The other five were involved in projects spanning highway construction, industrial development, network engineering, and cultural communications but have since been deregistered.
Business Endeavors
In 1998, Shi established Shaolin Temple’s first company, utilizing the temple’s cultural prominence to develop tourism-related products and resources. This marked the first-ever business venture founded by a Buddhist temple in China.
The venture’s success, coupled with Shaolin’s legendary cultural status, propelled Shi into widespread recognition. When the temple launched its official Douyin (TikTok) account in 2021, Shi’s personal profile quickly gained over ten million followers within six months.
Under Shi’s leadership, Shaolin Temple transformed into a commercial powerhouse. Its tourism revenue once accounted for roughly a third of Dengfeng’s annual fiscal income, the city where the temple is located.
In 2019, sales of Shaolin’s health products exceeded CNY 80 million (approximately USD 11.6 million), and its online sales on platforms like Taobao have also been robust — generating CNY 23 million (about USD 3.3 million) during its first year in 2020.
Martial arts instruction is another significant source of income. Shaolin warrior monks offer kung fu courses that typically last five years, with tuition fees historically exceeding CNY 10,000 (around USD 1,400) annually.
In June, French NBA star Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, completed a 10-day specialized training program at Shaolin Temple, becoming the first NBA player to earn a degree in Shaolin martial arts.
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