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Meredith Chen

Local authorities have formally approved the arrest of the former head of China’s famous Shaolin Temple, four months after he was placed under criminal investigation for alleged financial and sex scandals.
Shi Yongxin’s arrest had been approved “on suspicion of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and accepting bribes as a non-state functionary”, the Xinxiang Procuratorate announced in a statement on Sunday.
Xinxiang, in China’s central Henan province, is about two hours’ drive from the county-level city of Dengfeng, where the Shaolin Temple is located.
Shi, 60, served as abbot of what is one of the world’s most famous Buddhist monasteries for more than 25 years before being removed in July over a series of allegations, including misappropriation and embezzlement of project funds and temple assets.
He was also accused of “seriously violating” Buddhist principles, maintaining “improper relations” with multiple women and fathering at least one child.
Sunday’s statement said Xinxiang authorities, who had launched the investigation under the direction of the Henan provincial public security department, had requested the local prosecutorial body to approve his arrest.
Shi’s Buddhist credentials were revoked by the Buddhist Association of China when the scandal broke in July. The association accused him of “seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks”. Companies linked to Shi were also deregistered.
Shi, who holds a degree in business administration, joined the temple in 1981 and became its abbot in 1999 – aged 34. He turned Shaolin into a multibillion-dollar global brand, which earned him the nickname of the “CEO monk”.
While his excessive commercialisation of Shaolin’s heritage and influence also drew criticism, Shi defended the approach as necessary to protect the legacy of the centuries-old temple.


Allegations regarding Shi’s controversial personal life had surfaced from time to time over the years. In 2015, some former monks accused him of embezzlement as well as fathering several children – despite Buddhist monks taking a vow of celibacy – but an official investigation ultimately cleared him.
The abbot of Henan’s White Horse Temple, Shi Yinle, was appointed abbot of Shaolin just two days after the monastery announced that Shi was under investigation.
Established over 1,500 years ago, the Shaolin Temple is revered as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, and a Unesco World Heritage site famed as the cradle of Shaolin kung fu.
Every year, tens of thousands of students attend the martial arts schools in Dengfeng and summer kung fu camps regularly attract both Chinese and foreign enthusiasts.


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Disgraced Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin closer to prosecution over money scandals

Shi Yongxin (centre) earned the nickname of “CEO monk” for turning Shaolin temple into a multibillion-dollar global brand. Photo: Getty Images

Shaolin’s ‘CEO monk’ scandal may prompt overhaul of how temples are run in China

Illustration: Henry Wong

Shi Yongxin, who turned Shaolin into a “commercial empire”, has defended his approach. Photo: Getty Images

Kung fu students perform at Shaolin Temple. Photo: AFP

Shi Yinle has been appointed as the new abbot at Shaolin. Photo: Baidu

Tourists flock to Shaolin Temple to watch a martial arts performance in 2017. Photo: Visual China Group via Getty Images

After Shaolin Temple scandal, China’s Buddhists urged to obey the law and pay taxes

Former Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, known as the “CEO monk”, is facing a criminal investigation over accusations that he embezzled project funds and temple assets. Photo: Getty

The former abbot is known for transforming the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple in central China, known as the cradle of Shaolin kung fu, into a multibillion-dollar global brand. Photo: AFP

New abbot at scandal-hit China Shaolin Temple enforces ‘Buddhist 996’ rule; 30 monks quit

The new head of China’s scandal-hit Shaolin Temple has introduced strict new rules, sparking a reported wave of monk resignations. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Xinhua/Weibo

A monk stretches to get himself ready for the strict new way of life at the Shaolin Temple. Photo: Baidu

A foreign monk practises kung fu at the temple while another takes his photo. Photo: Baidu

A young monk carries a tray of food at the Shaolin Temple, where a strict diet of mainly vegetables has been imposed. Photo: Baidu

The Shaolin Temple is very popular with both domestic and international visitors. Photo: Baidu

China’s Buddhist regulator pledges stricter controls after Shaolin abbot scandal

“CEO monk” Shi Yongxin is accused of financial and sexual misconduct. Photo: AFP

China’s Shaolin Temple scandal: disgraced head monk defrocked, firms deregistered

The purge relating to Shi Yongxin, head of the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan province since 1999, follows a public notice that has stunned millions of Buddhists and martial arts fans worldwide. Photo: Getty Images

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Famed ‘CEO monk’ of kung fu cradle was removed in July over allegations including embezzlement and ‘seriously violating’ Buddhist principles


Famed ‘CEO monk’ of kung fu cradle was removed in July over allegations including embezzlement and ‘seriously violating’ Buddhist principles.


Shi Yinle

Shi Yongxin

Shaolin Temple

Disgraced Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin closer to prosecution over money scandals

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Famed ‘CEO monk’ of kung fu cradle was removed in July over allegations including embezzlement and ‘seriously violating’ Buddhist principles

Famed ‘CEO monk’ of kung fu cradle was removed in July over allegations including embezzlement and ‘seriously violating’ Buddhist principles