China is in shock as the Buddhist community reels from disturbing revelations surrounding the head of the world-famous Shaolin Temple.
Once known globally for promoting kung fu and Zen teachings, the temple is now at the centre of a growing controversy.
The man at the centre of the Shaolin Temple scandal, Abbot Shi Yongxin, is set to lose his monk status after what has been described as “extremely bad behaviour.”
This decision follows a public announcement from the Buddhist Association of China, revealing that his certificate of ordination will be revoked.
According to a statement released on Monday, “Shi Yongxin’s actions are of an extremely bad nature, seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community, hurting the image of monks.”
The situation took a serious turn after the Shaolin Temple itself confirmed an internal report accusing the abbot of embezzling funds meant for projects.
It also revealed the misuse of temple property. Moreover, the temple noted that Shi had broken sacred Buddhist rules by engaging in multiple romantic relationships.
Meanwhile, several former monks accused him of living far above modest monastic standards.
Allegations include owning a collection of luxury vehicles, fathering children, and diverting temple company funds for personal use.
In addition, multiple government agencies in China are reportedly working together to investigate the scandal.
Shi Yongxin, who became abbot in 1999, had long been a controversial figure.
Often referred to as the “CEO monk,” he was praised for helping the Shaolin brand grow globally.
Under his leadership, the temple established several business ventures and became a symbol of modern Buddhism mixed with commerce.
However, this fusion of spirituality and business has not been welcomed by all. Many religious followers believed it compromised the temple’s sacred mission.
In 2015, similar accusations surfaced but were dismissed at the time as “vicious libel.”
Now, the Buddhist Association of China, which functions under the Chinese Communist Party, appears determined to clean house.
On Weibo, China’s largest social media platform, a hashtag related to the scandal has already passed over 560 million views.
Interestingly, Shi’s most recent post on his Weibo page reads, “When one’s own nature is pure, the pure land is here in the present.” This message has only added to the emotional weight of the unfolding story.
The Shaolin Temple scandal is not just about one man. It touches on a deeper issue concerning how sacred institutions are run, and how trust in spiritual leadership can be easily broken.
Founded in AD 495, the Shaolin Temple has stood as a spiritual and cultural icon for centuries.
