The renounced Shaolin Temple has appointed Shi Yinle, the abbot of White Horse Temple, as the new head of the Chinese temple known as the birthplace of kung fu.
The appointment was approved after democratic reviews by the monastic community of the temple and other relevant procedures, according to the statement from the temple's management office on Tuesday.
Shi Yinle is a deputy to the National People's Congress, vice secretary of the Buddhist Association of China and vice president of the Buddhist Association of Henan Province.
He also accompanied Chinese President Xi Jinping on a tour of the White Horse Temple in May this year.
Born in 1966, Shi Yinle has worked in the White Horse Temple since 2003 and was appointed as the abbot two years later.
The former abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, is currently under criminal investigation for alleged embezzling funds from temples, engaging in improper relationships with multiple women and raising illegitimate children.
Mainland reports indicated that Shi Yongxin had been taken for questioning late Friday night (Jul 25).
The Buddhist Association of China released a statement on Monday (Jul 28) condemning Shi Yongxin's action, which severely damaged the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks.
The association also announced the revocation of Shi's ordination certificate and expressed full support for legal action against his misconduct.
