Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by multiple agencies for embezzlement, “improper relationships with multiple women” and “fathering illegitimate children”, the temple said on Sunday.
The 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple, located in a mountain range in central China’s Henan province, attracts thousands of disciples every year – some from across the world.
Mr Shi, who has been Shaolin Temple’s abbot since 1999, has earned the nickname “CEO monk” for transforming the institution into a global brand.
He has been stripped of his ordination certificate amid the probe, China’s Buddhist association said on Monday.
The ordination certificate is proof of someone’s acceptance into the monastic community.
“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 said in its statement.
Under his leadership, the temple started opening schools outside China and formed a travelling troupe of monks who performed Shaolin kung fu shows – the temple’s signature style of martial arts.
News of Mr Shi being investigated was the most read topic on Weibo on Monday morning. The last post on his own Weibo account, which has more than 880,000 followers and had been updated daily with Buddhist teachings, is dated 24 July.
Mr Shi also came under scrutiny in 2015 for allegedly having sexual relations with women and embezzling temple funds. He also allegedly received expensive gifts from companies and local governments, including a Volkswagen SUV and a robe with gold thread.
He was investigated at the time for embezzlement and fathering several children, but was later cleared of the charges.
In an interview with BBC Chinese in 2015, Mr Shi was asked about the allegations of corruption and affairs with women.
“If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago,” he said at the time.
Shaolin Temple also came under fire in 2015 over a plan to build a nearly $300m temple complex which also included a hotel, a kung fu school and a golf course.
The name “Shaolin” has gained prominence in pop culture over the years, including being the title of a 1982 film starring Jet Li. The temple is referenced in songs by American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and inspired a spinoff of the video game Mortal Kombat.
In China it is not necessarily frowned on by many ordinary people if a monk was to have a mistress or eat meat and this is especially the case with those involved in kung fu.
Because their time is dedicated to physical combat and their spiritual lives are more of an internal journey related to their training, it is not seen as so morally questionable if they do not stick strictly to traditional Buddhist teachings.
However the authorities are said to be investigating Abbot Shi for embezzlement, and this is not viewed in the same way.
If he is found guilty of fraud and corruption his reputation amongst the Chinese public will be hit very badly.
