Abbot Shi Yongxin beneath legal investigation in China

Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by a number of companies for embezzlement, “improper relationships with multiple women” and “fathering illegitimate children”, the temple stated on Sunday.

The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, positioned in a mountain vary in central China’s Henan province, attracts hundreds of disciples yearly – some from the world over.

Mr Shi, who has been Shaolin Temple’s abbot since 1999, has earned the nickname “CEO monk” for remodeling the establishment into a world model.

He has been stripped of his ordination certificates amid the probe, China’s Buddhist affiliation stated on Monday.

The ordination certificates is proof of somebody’s acceptance into the monastic group.

“Shi Yongxin’s actions are extremely bad, seriously damaging the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks,” the Buddhist Association of China stated in its assertion.

Under his management, the temple began opening faculties outdoors China and shaped a travelling troupe of monks who carried out Shaolin kung fu reveals – the temple’s signature type of martial arts.

News of Mr Shi being investigated was essentially the most learn matter on Weibo on Monday morning. The final publish on his personal Weibo account, which has greater than 880,000 followers and had been up to date every day with Buddhist teachings, is dated 24 July.

Mr Shi additionally got here beneath scrutiny in 2015 for allegedly having sexual relations with girls and embezzling temple funds. He additionally allegedly obtained costly items from corporations and native governments, together with a Volkswagen SUV and a gown with gold thread.

He was investigated on the time for embezzlement and fathering a number of kids, however was later cleared of the costs.

In an interview with BBC Chinese in 2015, Mr Shi was requested concerning the allegations of corruption and affairs with girls.

“If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago,” he stated on the time.

Shaolin Temple additionally got here beneath fireplace in 2015 over a plan to construct an almost $300m temple complicated which additionally included a resort, a kung fu faculty and a golf course.

The identify “Shaolin” has gained prominence in popular culture over time, together with being the title of a 1982 movie starring Jet Li. The temple is referenced in songs by American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and impressed a derivative of the online game Mortal Kombat.

Although in opposition to the doctrine, many Chinese individuals wouldn’t be overly outraged if a monk have been to have a mistress or eat meat.

Because their time is devoted to bodily fight and their non secular lives are extra of an inside journey associated to their coaching, it’s not seen as so morally questionable if they don’t stick strictly to conventional Buddhist teachings.

However the authorities are stated to be investigating Abbot Shi for embezzlement, and this isn’t considered with fairly a lot tolerance.

If he’s discovered responsible of fraud and corruption his status amongst the Chinese public might be hit very badly.