China's Shaolin Abbot Falls: Scandal Engulfs Monk Once Seen As Untouchable
China has launched a crackdown on powerful Buddhist monks suspected of misusing temple funds for personal wealth.
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- From: India News Bull
Shaolin monastery's former head abbot Shi Yongxin transformed the ancient institution into a vast commercial enterprise.
Chinese authorities have initiated a sweeping campaign against influential Buddhist monks suspected of diverting temple resources for personal enrichment. This initiative aims to strengthen oversight of religious organizations and increase accountability within China's expanding "temple economy".
According to The Guardian, China's temple economy is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating it will reach 100 billion yuan by year's end.
Chinese temples have experienced a challenging history spanning nearly eight decades. Many religious establishments lost their holdings during the 1950s, and numerous temples suffered destruction throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Following economic reforms implemented in the 1980s, temples experienced a resurgence in popularity and began relying on government-backed tourism for financial sustainability.
The Shaolin Temple emerged as a prominent example of this phenomenon, evolving into a significant revenue-generating center for its monk community.
The current crackdown follows revelations that Shaolin monastery's former head abbot Shi Yongxin had transformed the 1,500-year-old institution into a commercial enterprise valued at hundreds of millions of yuan.
In July, Shi, commonly referred to as the "CEO Monk," became the subject of an investigation for allegedly embezzling funds and fathering children with several women.
Within a fortnight, authorities removed him from his position and revoked his monastic status.
The Shaolin Temple faced public criticism in 2015 over plans to build a nearly $300 million temple complex featuring a golf course, hotel accommodations, and a kung fu training facility. During a BBC interview that same year, Shi faced questions regarding allegations of corruption and relationships with women.
He rejected these claims, stating: "If there were a problem, it would have surfaced long ago."
Shi is among several monks accused of misappropriating temple resources. In August, footage showing monks at Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple counting substantial sums of money went viral online.
In July, monk Wu Bing lost his title and faced investigation for allegedly misusing charitable donations intended for vulnerable women and children.
Wu reportedly solicited public donations under the pretense of supporting unmarried pregnant women and underprivileged children, but instead allegedly diverted these funds toward personal luxuries and expenses.