The abbot of China’s Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, is under criminal investigation for alleged embezzlement, sexual misconduct, and breaking Buddhist rules, according to a statement issued by the temple on Sunday, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
The temple, located in Henan province, said Shi Yongxin is suspected of “misusing project funds and temple property,” and of “having improper relations with multiple women over a long period and fathering children outside of marriage.”
The statement, as quoted by SCMP, said Shi was “being investigated jointly by several government departments” and that “more details would be shared with the public in time.”
Shaolin Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in the world and is seen as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin kung fu.
Shi, 60, became abbot in 1999 and has held top positions in Buddhist organisations, including serving as president of the Henan Provincial Buddhist Association since 1998. He was also a national lawmaker between 1998 and 2018.
Shi was previously criticised in 2006 for accepting a luxury car from the local government for his work in promoting tourism. In 2015, he faced public accusations from a former disciple, who claimed Shi had fathered children and taken temple money for personal use.
That same year, Shi and the temple were widely criticised for proposing a nearly US$300 million project in Australia that would include a temple, kung fu academy, and golf course.
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The SCMP said the current investigation comes amid broader scrutiny of Buddhist clergy in China, with several recent scandals involving misconduct.
More details are expected as the investigation continues.
