The abbot of China’s famous Shaolin Temple is under investigation for criminal offences including embezzling project funds and temple assets, according to a statement released by the Buddhist sanctuary on Sunday.
Shi Yongxin, head of what is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in the world, is suspected of seriously violating Buddhist precepts and is currently under joint investigation by multiple departments, the statement added.
The temple also accused Shi of maintaining improper relationships with multiple women for a long time and having illegitimate children, and promised to release more details to the public in a timely manner.
Shaolin Temple, established more than 1,500 years ago in central China’s Henan province, is the birthplace of Zen or Chan Buddhism and a Unesco World Heritage site. The renowned monastic institution set among the Songshan Mountains is also recognised as the cradle of Shaolin kung fu.
Shi, 60, is one of China’s most well-known monks and became head of the Shaolin Temple in 1999. The MBA degree-holder earned the nickname of “CEO monk” because of his excessive commercialisation of the temple’s heritage and influence.
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