Shaolin Temple, a global symbol of martial arts and Buddhist wisdom, finds its spiritual leader in the eye of a storm. Abbot Shi Yongxin is reportedly under official investigation. Whispers quickly turned into loud online rumors across Chinese social media.
Shi Yongxin has guided the temple’s commercial dealings for a long time. It is said the temple earns over 200 million yuan annually. That is more than 900 million Thai baht each year.
The online news site “Meipai” first broke this story. They claimed to have confirmation from several reliable sources. Later, an online account called “Zhu Yuesuxing” published an article. It quoted someone close to Shi Yongxin, saying he had indeed been taken away. The source added a surprising twist. They noted that “this time it might not be about money.” This comment made the situation even more puzzling. By July 26, the rumors were the hottest topic in social media circles.
Reporters from various news outlets, including Phoenix Weekly, tried to get answers. They reached out to Shaolin Temple directly. Teacher Zheng, who manages the temple’s external relations, offered little information. He admitted he had not seen Abbot Shi recently. He simply told journalists to wait for official statements. Other monks at Shaolin Temple gave vague replies too. Some said they knew nothing about the situation. Others also advised waiting for official news. Mainland Chinese media tried to call the temple’s reception, but lines were busy. Some monks even hung up when asked about the abbot. These evasive answers only made people more suspicious.
Jiangnan Metropolis Daily also reported on the abbot’s alleged investigation. A key piece of evidence came from Shi Yongxin’s own social media. His personal account stopped updating at 6:58 AM on July 24. This “celebrity abbot” typically posts about 1.5 times a day. He has a massive following of 870,000 people. His sudden online silence raised many eyebrows. The newspaper also claimed several sources confirmed Shi Yongxin had been taken by authorities. When they tried to call Teacher Zheng again, the call ended abruptly.
A Leader and His Business Ventures
Abbot Shi Yongxin has been the public face of Shaolin Temple’s commercial ventures for years. The temple’s large yearly earnings, reportedly exceeding 200 million yuan, often raise questions. Many people criticize the temple for being too focused on business. Back in 2015, Shi Yongxin faced serious accusations. He was accused of taking huge bribes. There were also claims of improper personal behavior. An official investigation in 2017 concluded there was “insufficient evidence.” However, whispers about his overseas assets and private life never really stopped. This kept Abbot Shi Yongxin constantly in the public eye.
Currently, Shi Yongxin holds influential positions. He serves as the Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association. He is also the President of the Henan Buddhist Association. For several terms, he was a member of China’s National People’s Congress. Under the current system, leaders like Shi Yongxin are sometimes called “political monks.” They often hold a status similar to government officials. This means their personal problems can have wider effects. Shi Yongxin was once seen as the creator of Shaolin’s business kingdom. He founded Henan Shaolin Industrial Development Co., Ltd. He also had controlling shares in Henan Shaolin Intangible Assets Management. At one point, he oversaw more than ten businesses. These ventures covered a range of areas, including culture, food, medicine, and clothing.
In recent years, Shi Yongxin has reduced some of his direct business ties. He canceled the registration for Shaolin Industrial Development. He also stepped away from managing Shaolin Intangible Assets. Despite this, online rumors about corruption, misconduct, and foreign assets have continued to spread. Some began to call him the “CEO in robes.” In March 2024, a rumor circulated online. It claimed Shi Yongxin’s son, Shi Zhengen, would take over his position. The rumor suggested the son would represent the Buddhist community. However, Shaolin Temple quickly denied this report.
Wider Religious Scrutiny
The religious scene in the country has faced many scandals recently. Master Xuecheng, the abbot of Longquan Temple in Beijing, was accused of sexual harassment. Another case involved Shi Chuanzhen of Xuanzang Temple in Nanjing. His controversy revolved around his association with “friends of officials.” These issues of corruption and sexual misbehavior within religious communities are drawing more and more public attention.
Source: The Epoch Times