The ongoing investigation into Shi Yongxin, abbot of the renowned Shaolin Temple and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, has reignited public scrutiny as netizens unearth a lengthy trail of past allegations, many of which were previously dismissed or overlooked.
Shi is under investigation by multiple authorities for alleged criminal activities. These include embezzlement of temple assets, long-term violations of monastic vows (including sexual misconduct), and reports of fathering illegitimate children. Public attention has intensified not just over the gravity of the accusations, but also over the delay in legal action. Many note that Shi had already been publicly accused over a decade ago, yet no substantive measures were taken until now.
Read more: Shaolin abbot accused of fathering over 170 children and embezzling US$41.3 b under probe
Back in 2015, an individual claiming to be a former disciple of the temple, under the pseudonym “Shi Zhengyi” (literally “Justice Shi”), filed a real-name complaint accusing Shi of maintaining a long-term sexual relationship with a woman named Liu Liming. The complaint included eight pages allegedly from a police interview record from the Zhengzhou Public Security Bureau in Henan Province.
Seven of those pages reportedly documented Liu’s detailed account of her sexual relationship with the monk, claiming that their sexual encounters began in 2000 and occurred on more than 20 occasions. One such meeting allegedly took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. Liu even described Shi’s genitalia in explicit detail and claimed to have secretly kept used condoms as evidence, fearing he might later deny the relationship and refuse to support her business endeavors. She also said she had undergone two abortions for him.
However, at the time, law enforcement agencies neither confirmed the authenticity of the reported transcripts nor pursued the case further. Despite the explosive allegations, Shi maintained his influential role within the temple.
Known as the “CEO Monk,” Shi has long been a controversial figure due to his commercial transformation of the Shaolin Temple. Since becoming abbot in 1999, he has promoted a “kung fu economy,” established business ventures, and even launched China's first official monastery website. Despite being hailed for modernizing the temple and hosting global dignitaries, including Vladimir Putin, IOC president Jacques Rogge, and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, critics have accused him of turning the sacred site into a profit-driven enterprise. His personal lifestyle has also drawn scrutiny, from wearing robes made of luxury brocade and rare prayer beads to receiving a million-yuan SUV and using an iPhone at public events.
Netizens have reacted with a mix of sarcasm and skepticism, questioning why it took a full decade for the authorities to take action. “We all knew about this when I was still in junior high. Now I'm 38, and they’re finally arresting him,” wrote one commenter.
As of now, Chinese authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing regarding Shi, but specific charges have yet to be officially announced.
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Head of Shaolin Temple Shi Yongxin removed over embezzlement claims
