Former Shaolin abbot Shi Yongxin faces arrest for embezzlement and corruption allegations

The former abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, has been approved for arrest on charges of embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and accepting bribes. 

The Xinxiang Procuratorate of Henan Province, where the Shaolin Temple is, announced the decision on Sunday (Nov 16) following an ongoing criminal investigation that has been conducted since July of this year.

Shi had previously been accused by former monks of embezzling money from a temple-run company, maintaining a fleet of luxury cars and fathering children with multiple women. Reports suggest he may have fathered over 170 children and misappropriated approximately USD 41.3 billion.

Shi was removed in July by the Shaolin Temple for his "extremely" bad behaviour.

In 2015, Shi encountered similar allegations, which the temple denounced as "vicious libel." 

The 60-year-old took office as abbot in 1999 and in the following decades expanded Shaolin studies and cultural knowledge overseas. He helped the temple establish dozens of companies -- but received backlash for commercialising Buddhism.

The temple, established in AD 495, is known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and Chinese kung fu.

Shi was first elected vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China in 2002 and has served as a representative to the National People's Congress, the country's top lawmaking body.